Luka Doncic recorded 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 138-117 on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. Austin Reaves added 27 points, while Walker Kessler posted 15 points and 15 rebounds in Los Angeles’ fourth win in five games.
Doncic scored at least 37 points for the fifth consecutive game, making six three-pointers and shooting 14-for-24 from the field. He also made eight of 10 free throws and committed just two turnovers.
The defending NBA scoring champion has scored at least 40 points in four of his last five appearances, averaging 43.4 points during that stretch. He followed Sunday’s 45-point, 15-assist performance against Toronto with another dominant display.
Doncic set the tone early, recording 16 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first quarter. He had 24 points by halftime before adding nine more in the first four and a half minutes of the third quarter, helping Los Angeles build a 93-74 lead.
Reaves shot 10-for-15 from the field and made four three-pointers. Kessler added two blocks and helped the Lakers control the boards as the team improved to 6-2.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Miami with 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, while Klay Thompson scored 19 and Bam Adebayo had 16. The Heat shot 51% from the field but committed 19 turnovers.
Miami dropped to 2-5, losing for the fifth time in seven games to open Antetokounmpo’s debut season with the franchise. The defeat also marked the start of a five-game West Coast trip.
The Heat visit the Clippers on Wednesday, while the Lakers travel to Sacramento.
