Lakers get a thrilling overtime win after Reaves game-winner.

NBA, Lakers vs Mavericks: Los Angeles Lakers get off a late win in overtime from Austin Reaves’ game-winner with a 107-104 over Dallas Mavericks.

LA was struggling with the health protocols as Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, and Malik Monk were out since their win over Orlando Magic. However, Laker’s big Anthony Davis returned to the lineup after missing two games due to knee soreness.

For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic was missing due to ankle soreness which made this contest exciting.

The Lakers love overtime, this is being the sixth game of the season-ending in overtime. They have a good record of 5-1 in overtime. It shows their lack of ability to win games in regular time.

In the overtime, it was face to face battle. Lakers had the upper hand at the start with some solid team defense and offense led by the big-3. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. equal the score with a deep three with less than a minute was remaining.

The former Cleveland Cavalier’s leader was attacking the basket and had to kick the ball to Wayne Ellington who could not find the space to shoot the ball and had given it away to Russell Westbrook. The defense collapsed on him and he found Austing Reaves open. He was looking like a pro in taking only his first game-winner without hesitation, giving the Lakers victory.

Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook all scored 20+ points. With Westbrook and Davis getting a double-double with 10 and 12 rebounds respectively.

On the opposite side too, there were three 20+ performances. Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Brunson, and Tim Hardaway Jr led the way for the Mavericks in the absence of Luka, their firepower.

The first quarter saw the visitors leading by 10 points. However, the hosts fired back in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers 27-14. Thus, going into the break with a three points lead.

The Mavericks defense didn’t give space to the visitors and on the other end ran the pick and roll efficiently. At the end of the third quarter, the game was tied at 73-73. The Mavericks’ late surge kept the game tied as the Lakers were leading by six with just a minute and a half to go.

The Lakers choke on opportunities in the fourth quarter. What seemed like a healthy victory went down the wire. The athletism of Dallas players inside the paint hustling for offensive rebounds was unmatched. The strategy to keep two players around the paint all time was successful for the Mavericks team.

Austin Reaves played a vital role and has been playing tremendously well when given the minutes. The most important steal of the match came in the closing stage of the fourth quarter. Dallas mavericks up three points and just gathered a rebound however, a hustle from Anthony Davis got the ball loose and Wayne Ellington kept it clean behind the arc to send the game to overtime.

It was like a handicap match with both sides missing key players. The Lakers will now head up to Minnesota for the first time this season for a game against the Timberwolves. While the Mavericks will also be playing the Timberwolves after three days break. Hopefully with a healthy Luka in the starting lineup.