Luka Dončić's 33PTS DOUBLE-DOUBLE & Austin Reaves 28PTS vs Suns! March 16, 2025

Since mid-January, the last 28 games, the Lakers are the number one defense in the NBA. Hayes underneath, scores, and foul. Boy, he has really benefited from having Luka Doncic on this team. Hayes' numbers have gone way up. Done with the rebound. And that's the one thing about this Luka-led Lakers team. Great play by Reeves. Gonna be an easy two after the turnover. Know that they can get themselves going, so they try and get their teammates I think Kevin Durant, he's gotta be ultra-aggressive. He's gotta come out and set the tone. As you see, Austin Reeves knocked down a three. LeBron James deferred to him in the post-season, and he's only built off of that confidence. Amazing. Undrafted four years ago out of Oklahoma. Another basket for Hayes from Doncic, and a foul again. Well, and if you know Mason Plumlee, that's not his nature. It's just two bad games in two different situations. Hayes again, foul. He'll go to the line. For his fifth free-throw attempt. Again, good answer. Nine-nothing run by the Lakers over the last two minutes. Open up at eight-point lead. Doncic on the step-back. Over Durant, hits a three. And then has something to say to him. Booker trying to shake. Doncic is hanging with him. And then another forced turnover by the Laker defense. Phoenix just five for 17 from the floor to start the game at 11 points. Doncic left, wide open. The three's good. Second triple for Luka. Timeout Phoenix, Doncic already. And Luka Doncic scored the last 10. Going for 13, and oh, got it. Doncic on fire. They had a big win Friday against Sacramento. They had 24 threes in that game. Today, just two of 14. Booker had 13 assists in that game. Reeves with a crossover and hit against Booker. We talked about having a smile on his face every day because he loves his life. And loves his no trade clause. Now in context, he was asked about it as Hayes gets the dunk by Doncic. So it's not like he just came from an awkward landing. Shot clock at two. Reeves falling on a bounce, hits the shot. Austin Reeves has become an incredible shot maker. Shot clock at eight, now backs up to mid-court. Luka working with Hayes in the two-man game. Doncic all the way to the cup. 17 first half points for Doncic. All right, the final two minutes for both teams is so important. The Lakers have done a good job. They want to finish the half strong. And if you're the Phoenix Suns, try and finish this in a manner that doesn't end up with lob dunks for Jackson Hayes. Well, he's missed 20 games for a multiple variety of injuries this year. Another assist by Doncic to Hayes. Goodwin making his second straight start. His three off target. Ball batted around to Hayes. Doncic faked the pass to Reeves and drills a three-pointer. We mentioned Phoenix tied with Dallas in the lost column for 10th. They've won the season series, so they own the tiebreaker should they finish even at the end of the year. Richards makes the free throw, just the fourth attempt for the Suns. They're four of four. The Lakers are 10 of 15. Reeves driving behind the head. Hayes on the drive. His seventh consecutive made bucket. And they have now won seven in a row. And they're on the heels of all those teams that are currently two through five with 25 losses. Golden State three back. Here's Reeves for three. Austin Reeves, third three-pointer. Reeves. Doncic, five to shoot. Pulls up, scores, and a foul. And Booker now with eight assists, seven here in the third quarter. Reeves plops it up for Koloko. Those are coming way too easy for LA. Doncic has cooled off after a hot start. They double him, force him to pass the ball to Hayes. Now it's Reeves driving middle of the lane and keeping it himself and laying it in beautifully. Lakers are just trying to buy time. Five minutes, where's the offense gonna come from? Reeves on the step back. Unguarded, count the basket, and a foul. A four-point opportunity. Here's Gillespie. Way off on the three. Here's Doncic, who's played 34 minutes, 28 points, 10 boards, eight assists. Drives, count the basket, and one. Look at Doncic to go back to the line. He's already taken 13 free throws in the game. And some scramble on that defensive end. And they can't turn it over. That's 13 now. Here's Doncic, draws the big Iguodoro, so drives past him and gets the layup with the left hand. Gorgeous finish by Doncic, right there for Phoenix and a fast break opportunity, but the Suns could not take advantage. What a shot, driving that time by Austin Reeves.