Lakers know they have something to prove against

The Lakers 128-117 winreceived, Luka Doncic dominated and then the dialog moved ahead, because even though a 128-117 win over the slumping Indiana Pacers on Friday counts all the same in the tight Western Conference standings, it doesn’t say as a lot about the Lakers as what comes next.

Buoyed by 4 current wins over struggling groups, the Lakers are still looking out for a assertion victory to announce themselves as professional contenders in the crowded Western Conference. The Lakers (38-25) are comfortably in sixth place in the West, but just 3-11 against groups that are .600 or better.

Two of the wins got here in the first two weeks of the season. The losses have been ugly: an average margin of 19.9 factors per defeat.

Now with 5 of their next six video games against groups that are .600 or better — beginning with Sunday’s 12:30 p.m. contest against the New York Knicks — the Lakers get a probability to prove their potential to make a playoff run.

“You play teams that are playing winning basketball and [have] winning records, it definitely can build some confidence in the group,” guard Luke Kennard said Friday. “But I know even some of the close games we’ve lost just recently, I know we’ve done some really good things. … We know what we have in the locker room and in this group.”

Even a day and a win later, the Lakers had been still ruing Thursday’s highway loss in Denver. With a probability to bounce to fifth place in the standings, they let the Nuggets (39-25) open the sport on an 11-point run. Denver opened up a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.

But in contrast to many of their other losses to playoff-contending groups, the Lakers answered Denver’s run. They cut it to one with 2:05 left before the Nuggets held on for the victory.

“That was a game that we’ve broken throughout the year, in games like that,” coach JJ Redick said. “And they made a number of runs that went to double digits and we just kept playing and had a chance. … I’m confident we’re going to find it. How we’re going to find it, that’s where it’s —”

Redick cut off his own thought as he searched for the phrases.

“You got to figure it out on a daily basis sometimes,” the coach concluded with a tight smile.

Lakers heart Jaxson Hayes scores at the rim in entrance of Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard Friday at Crypto.com Arena.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers figured it out Friday behind a dazzling 44-point efficiency from Doncic, who leads the NBA with 10 40-point video games this season. The NBA’s main scorer didn’t even play during the fourth quarter of the blowout.

Doncic’s brilliance was more than enough against the bottom-feeding Pacers, who, at 15-48, are taking part in more for lottery place than postseason hopes. But the Knicks (41-23) have received 4 of their last 5 video games, including convincing wins over San Antonio and Denver. The only current loss was a three-point defeat to Oklahoma City.

Lakers ahead LeBron James is anticipated to be out there for Sunday’s marquee sport after injuring his elbow late in the loss to the Nuggets and lacking Friday’s sport. Centers Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back pressure) are day-to-day.

Led by Jalen Brunson’s 26.2 factors and 6.5 assists per sport, the Knicks have the NBA’s third-best offense. Conversely, the Lakers are twenty first in defensive score.

The Lakers emphasised the significance of group protection all season, but Marcus Smart is “the only one that consistently is just doing what he’s supposed to do” on protection, Redick said Friday. Sometimes the previous defensive participant of the yr is pressured to overcompensate for his teammates’ errors.

Doncic’s defensive lapses are magnified, particularly with the group’s current inconsistencies. But Doncic’s oft-criticized protection has offered some vibrant spots, Redick said.

When he switches onto the ball, Doncic offers up the bottom quantity of factors per possession among the Lakers’ perimeter gamers, Redick said. He led the Lakers in rebounding Friday with 9 boards, all defensive. Doncic had both of the group’s blocks against the Pacers.

“He’s shown that he can contain the basketball,” Redick said of Doncic’s protection. “He’s obviously one of the best wing defensive rebounders in the NBA. He’s able to generate steals and deflections. And, with some prodding, he’s taking charges as well.”

Doncic has drawn 11 fees this season, the most for a single yr in his NBA profession.