The Los Angeles Lakers gave up a season-high 51 points in the third quarter after LeBron James’ strong start as they hit a four-game losing streak in a 124-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ losing streak stretched to four games Sunday as the Dallas Mavericks outscored them by 30 points in the third quarter to take control in a 124-115, Christmas Day win.
Luka Doncic scored 32 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out nine assists despite the Lakers holding a 54-43 lead at halftime behind LeBron James’ strong start.
The Lakers gave up a season-high 51 points to the Mavericks in a pivotal third quarter. James went on to finish with 38 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James looks dejected during Dallas Mavericks 124-115 defeat
Luka Doncic scored 32 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out nine assists on Sunday
Dallas’ 51-21 eruption in the stanza flipped what had been a Los Angeles advantage of as many as 14 points in the first half to a 21-point Mavericks lead in the second half.
Los Angeles pulled to within 11 points midway through the fourth quarter, but Dallas had an answer each time the Lakers threatened to move within a single-digit point margin.
The Mavericks put the game away with a 9-0 run lasting 1:21 down the stretch, capped when Doncic connected on a 3-pointer in front of the Dallas bench. Doncic exchanged high-fives with his teammates on the sideline after effectively snuffing out the Lakers’ comeback hopes.
Dallas’ Christian Wood (35) high fives teammate Reggie Bullock (25) after scoring
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb watches the game on Christmas Day
Christian Wood finished with a flourish, including a rebound to help set up Doncic’s final 3-pointer. Wood also delivered a put-back dunk down the stretch — two of his 30 points — and made one of his four steals late.
He added eight rebounds and seven assists. Spencer Dinwiddie distributed another eight assists, as 31 of Dallas’ 44 made field goals were assisted.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, finished with just 18 assists on its 39 made baskets.
Dallas connected on 44 of 84 field-goal attempts, including 18 of 44 from 3-point range. Tim Hardaway Jr. shot 6 of 14 from beyond the arc en route to 26 points.
Russell Westbrook scored 17 points off the bench for the Lakers. Austin Reaves added 16 points. No other Los Angeles scorer other than James produced more than nine points.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham looks on as his team hit a four-game losing streak on Sunday
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