Luka Doncic's 42-point Effort Carries Lakers Past Giannis Antetokounmpo And Heat

The clash between Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo received top billing Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Doncic leads the league in scoring with 37.7 points per game for the Lakers, and Antetokounmpo is fifth at 28.2 for the Miami Heat.

But this matchup didn’t quite live up to the hype after Doncic continued his early season dominance in the Lakers’ 138-117 win.

Doncic was masterful, producing 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. He was 14 for 24 from the field and six for 15 from three-point range.

Read more:'Like a supernova.' Luka Doncic's 45 points only eclipsed by his defense in Lakers' win

“Feels good. Like I said, obviously when we win, it feels way better,” Doncic said. “And that’s the only important stuff. But obviously it feels good. You know, when you win by [21] against a team like Miami, it’s really awesome, especially on a back-to-back.”

Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, but he also had seven turnovers as he battled tight defensive coverage.

“I think we did OK. We did good enough to get the win,” said Ziaire Williams, who played after missing three games because of soreness in his left foot. “Wasn’t perfect. He’s a freak of nature, man. It takes three, four guys loading up to him. One-on-one, he’ll go through anybody in this league, and that’s just the truth.”

Doncic was better, but he had more help. Austin Reaves scored 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting and Walker Kessler finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double.

“Yeah, he’s a big piece for us,” Doncic said about Kessler. “I think when he plays good, he gives us a way better chance to win. So, he just needs to keep going like this. Like we told him, we have his back. ... But what he’s been doing, it’s helping us win.”

The Lakers (6-2) shot 57%, including 44% (19 for 43) from three-point range. They also notched 39 assists on 51 successful shots.

“The 39 assists, that’s the most assists we’ve had since I’ve been the [coach],” JJ Redick said. “So, it’s a really good offense that we’re playing right now. And a lot of that, of course, is Doncic and what he’s able to do and bend the defense. And his shot-making creates a lot of problems, and then he can make every pass.”

Doncic has been on a scoring tear for the Lakers.

In the third quarter, Doncic missed a three-pointer, but Jake LaRavia hustled to collect the rebound. He passed the ball to Doncic, who then made a three to give the Lakers a 93-74 lead. The play forced the Heat (2-5) to call a timeout as Doncic pointed at LaRavia in appreciation.

Doncic started strong like usual, with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first quarter as the Lakers took a 37-30 lead. Doncic, who was called for a technical foul late in the first half — his second of the season — had 24 points by halftime.

In his previous four games, Doncic had scored 45, 37, 41 and 52 points.

“Like the defensive mindset in me is always like, ‘Why are they not blitzing him or why are they not doubling? Or why are they just letting him just walk to his spot and just do whatever he wants out there?’ But they’re trying,” Williams said about defensive strategies Doncic faces. “He just is that good and he just makes it look that easy.

“He’s unbelievable, man. Even a better person. And yeah, I’m happy to be on his side for sure.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.