Lakers’ Strong Preseason Start: Victory Over Nets in Vegas

In a preseason matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers showcased their cohesive starting lineup, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 129-126 in Las Vegas. LeBron James and Austin Reaves made their preseason debuts alongside Anthony Davis, contributing significantly to the Lakers’ success.

During the first half, the Lakers’ key starters demonstrated their prowess. LeBron James recorded 10 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds, while Anthony Davis nearly secured a double-double with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Austin Reaves impressed with 18 points in just 20 minutes of play.

D’Angelo Russell was on fire, hitting 4 out of 5 three-pointers and adding 14 points to the scoreboard. Rui Hachimura also excelled as a super sub, finishing the game with 19 points.

The Lakers, fielding a potential opening-day lineup, aimed to make a strong impression from the outset. Anthony Davis wasted no time in asserting himself, blocking the first shot attempt and assisting Reaves in a three-pointer. Russell’s three consecutive three-pointers contributed to the Lakers’ 21-18 lead when LeBron James was substituted out for Jaxson Hayes.

Although the Lakers built an eight-point lead, the Nets mounted an 8-0 run to narrow the gap. Former Laker Lonnie Walker IV’s free throws gave the Nets a one-point lead heading into the second quarter.

Throughout the first half, the Lakers experimented with various lineups, including a big lineup featuring James, Davis, and Christian Wood. This unit embarked on a 7-0 run and outscored the Nets 17-5, regaining control of the game. The Lakers’ defense continued to stifle the Nets, resulting in a 75-61 advantage at halftime.

Given that it was preseason, LeBron, Davis, and Russell did not play in the second half. The backup unit struggled in the third quarter, allowing the Nets to trim the 14-point lead. Coach Darvin Ham called a timeout to halt the slide at the 7:05 mark.

The remainder of the game saw unconventional moments, including a three-point contest between Cam Thomas and Reaves. In the fourth quarter, the Lakers’ young core sealed the victory, with Maxwell Lewis making a memorable dunk and the team maintaining a lead until the final buzzer.

In summary, while it’s important to keep in mind that this was a preseason game, the Lakers’ starting lineup showed promise. The offense was dynamic, and Taurean Prince provided solid defense, allowing Hachimura to shine as a scorer off the bench. Additionally, the Lakers’ experiment with a big lineup yielded positive defensive results. Looking ahead, the Lakers will face the Sacramento Kings in Anaheim at the Honda Center for their next preseason game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT, broadcasted on NBA TV.