Lakers Win 9th Straight on Canard’s Buzzer-Beater!

Lakers Extend Win Streak to Nine with Thrilling Victory

The Los Angeles Lakers are on a roll! They grabbed their ninth straight win on Saturday night, beating the Orlando Magic 105-104 thanks to a dramatic game-winning shot. This incredible run ties their longest win streak since the 1920 season, a year they went on to win a championship. It’s been a magical march for the Lakers, and Luka Doncic has been a huge part of it.

Doncic’s Historic Scoring Run Continues

Luka Doncic has made NBA history during this streak. He became the first player ever to score 30 or more points in nine consecutive wins. On Saturday, he put up 24 points in the first half alone against the Magic. Despite trailing by six at halftime and four in the third quarter, Doncic’s scoring kept the Lakers in the game. He even got involved in a bit of a verbal exchange with the Magic’s Paolo Banchero, leading to a technical foul. This was his 16th technical foul of the season, but it was rescinded, meaning he avoided a one-game suspension.

A Nail-Biting Finish

The game came down to the wire. With under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Magic took a three-point lead. Then, with just 5.2 seconds remaining, the Magic inbounded the ball after a scramble. A pass intended for Banchero was juggled out of bounds, giving the Lakers possession. After a review, the Lakers inbounded the ball with 4.7 seconds left, down by two. LeBron James got the ball down low, but his shot was blocked by Mo Banchero. However, the ball remained Laker ball.

On the ensuing inbound, the Lakers drew up a play for LeBron James. He drove hard to the rim, drawing defenders with him. This created a wide-open look for Davis Bertans, who drained the game-winning three-pointer as time expired! Doncic celebrated with a kiss to the crowd, a moment that surely stung the Magic.

LeBron Reflects on the Win

After the game, LeBron James discussed the thrilling finish. “That’s how it’s supposed to go,” he said. He acknowledged a missed call on his drive to the basket, but added, “It turned out the best for us. We was able to hit a three.” LeBron praised the coaching staff for the play call, saying, “JJ drew him up. Marcus made all the reads and Luke nailed it.” He explained his role in the play: “My job is to try to make a hard dive at the rim and hopefully I can my move to the rim can pull gravity towards him and it did. Couple guys went with me and it left Luke wide open.” He added that Bertans is “one of the best shooters in the NBA.”

Lakers’ Chemistry and Defense

The Lakers’ success isn’t just about offense. Ramona Shelburn noted that Luka Doncic’s defense has been surprisingly effective since the All-Star break. “Guess who leads the NBA in steals? Luka,” she said. He’s also in the top 10 for charges drawn this season. Tim McMahon added that while Doncic isn’t a great defender, his active participation sends a signal to the rest of the team. “As long as he’s doing this, that’s a signal to everyone. I know we’re talking about his scoring, but that defense is adequate. That’s all they need.” McMahon also highlighted LeBron James’s adaptation to a reduced role as a “third option,” stating he’s “absolutely thriving in this less is more” situation. LeBron is averaging nearly 20 points per game on almost 60% shooting while playing fewer touches and less time with the ball than ever before.

Marcus Smart’s Impact

The article also gave a shout-out to Marcus Smart, who has been a key addition for the Lakers. He’s described as defending players from one through five, taking charges, and leaving everything on the floor. Smart is also credited with bringing out the best in DeAndre Ayton, who reportedly trusts Smart to push him. Smart is averaging nearly 10 points and over two steals per game this month, despite an ankle injury.

Around the League

• Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic recorded his league-leading 28th triple-double in a win against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, teams are reportedly finding new ways to defend him by guarding him further from the basket.
• New York Knicks: The Knicks secured their sixth straight win, routing the Washington Wizards. Jalen Brunson scored 22 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein added 26 points and 16 rebounds. The Wizards have now lost 16 straight games.
• Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves earned their first win in Boston in 21 years, beating the Celtics on the road.

Giannis’s Future with the Bucks

A significant discussion point was the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks. With the Bucks seven and a half games out of the play-in tournament and only 12 games left in the season, Giannis has missed the last three games with a knee injury. He’s also reportedly resistant to being shut down for the season. For the first time, a member of the Bucks’ ownership group, Wes Edens, publicly stated that trading Giannis is a possibility. “He’s going into the final year of his contract, so one of two things will happen. He’ll either be extended or he’ll be traded,” Edens said. This statement comes as teams like the Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves had previously inquired about Giannis but didn’t seem to get serious traction from Milwaukee. The ownership structure, with both Edens and Jimmy Haslem involved, raises questions about who makes the final decision. The article suggests that the Bucks may need to trade Giannis this summer rather than risk him becoming a free agent, even if he doesn’t request a trade himself. The timing of any potential decision is crucial, especially with the NBA draft lottery and the inability to offer Giannis an extension until October.

Source: Is Luka Doncic the best scorer in the league right now?! + The Lakers' chemistry | NBA Today (YouTube)