Doncic rescues the Lakers with 53 points and keeps them alive in the NBA Cup

Luka Doncic showed off this Friday with 53 points in the Lakers’ long-suffering 124-118 victory against the Portland Trail Blazersa victory that keeps the Angelenos alive in the NBA Cup after the defeat in their debut.

The Slovenian’s display included a spectacular basket from three quarters of the court at the half-time buzzer. It is the seventh consecutive game that Doncic has completed at least 35 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assistsequaling a Robertson record.

In addition, he became the first Lakers player since Kobe Bryant to have four consecutive games with at least 40 points.

The Lakers have started the season with a balance of 8 wins and two lossesalthough one of them was in his debut in the NBA Cup, against the Golden State Warriors, a setback that could be definitive for his place in the playoffs.

Both the Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs have not yet lost in Group C of the West in the competition, which they share with the Lakers, Blazers and Sacramento Kings.

The Blazers had a 16-point lead in the second quarter, but a 17-0 run in the third quarter, from 61-68 to 78-68, sealed the comeback for the Lakers despite Portland’s resistance until the final horn.

Doncic closed the game with 53 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, with 20 points in that third quarter of the Los Angeles comeback. Austin Reaves accompanied him with 25 points and Walker Kessler had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Deni Avdija almost reached the triple-double for the Blazers with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists, Damian Lillard also contributed 22 points and Donovan Clingan completed another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

It is the second loss of the season for the Blazers who have a 6-2 record.

Cup Day

In addition to the Lakers’ victory, this Friday The victories of the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves stood outwho lead their respective groups 2-0.

The Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 80-119, led by Jayson Tatum’s 34 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assistsin a match in which Hugo González returned to the bench after three consecutive starts, although he contributed 8 points.

In Dallas, the Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz 112-100 in the debut of the Canarian Santi Aldama with the Texan franchise, after his transfer this summer from Memphis in full recovery from knee surgery. Aldama contributed 8 points and 9 rebounds.

And the Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 105-119 with 26 points from Ayo Dosunmu, 23 from Jaden McDaniels and 22 from LaMelo Ball.

The cup day also marked the tournament debut of the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spursboth with victories.

The Spurs defeated the Sacramento Kings 109-124 with 30 points and 14 rebounds from Victor Wembanyamawhile the Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies 97-128 with 35 points from Ajay Mitchell, who took over from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with 28.

Additionally, the 76ers lost to the Cavaliers 119-95.in LeBron James’ first visit to Cleveland since he signed this summer for the Philadelphia team.