The Los Angeles Lakers looked like they were getting into a rhythm towards the end of their game on Christmas Day against the Dallas Mavericks and against a shorthanded opponent playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Lakers wasted no time and refused to go down as other marquee teams did on Sunday night, including a 51-point loss by the Clippers in the same building earlier in the day. Instead, the Lakers played their best basketball of the young season and started to show they are equipped to be even more dangerous in their title defense than they were when they won their first title a little over two months ago.
In particular, the play of LeBron James and Marc Gasol, which on paper seemed like a perfect fit of two high-level passers, delivered some phenomenal moments, particularly in the 3rd quarter. Gasol looked comfortable working from the high post, racking up eight assists to go with 12 points in three quarters.
Gasol to Bron 😤 pic.twitter.com/WDtpypxOH8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 28, 2020
LeBron also made sure to include Gasol, who got going a bit from the 3-point line in the 3rd quarter as well.
this possession omg pic.twitter.com/FeNAiq2nSx
— Grant Goldberg (@GrantGoldberg) December 28, 2020
Kyle Kuzma, the middle man in the above possession, also delivered in a starting role while Anthony Davis rested with a calf strain. Kuzma had 20 points, three assists, and three blocks after three quarters, with the Lakers posting a 103-67 lead.
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