Luka Dončić keeps Lakers perfect in clutch time
Luka Dončić keeps Lakers perfect in clutch time, originally published on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as your preferred source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers swept a back-to-back weekend against the Memphis Grizzlies, capped by a 120-114 victory on Sunday night that extended their unbeaten run in decisive games this season.
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The result is an encouraging sign that LeBron James and Luka Dončić can close out games even as the team continues to struggle with defensive deficiencies.
What is clutch time?
The NBA defines clutch time as any situation in which the score is within five points during the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.
Every team in the league has lost at least three decisive games this season. The Lakers, however, improved to 12-0, including a 2-0 start to the new year against Memphis.
The contrast was striking. In games that never reach clutch time, Los Angeles is just 10-11, and the Lakers have shown a tendency to get blown out, especially against championship contenders.
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Redick credits clutch defense
With such a small sample size, it’s difficult to draw general conclusions about what consistently works late in games.
“I don’t know what the updated numbers are,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said before the Memphis series, according to The Athletic. “Our defense was really good in the clutch.” Redick is generally critical of the Lakers’ defensive performance this season.
Sunday, the offense sealed it. Dončić took control late and finished with 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while James added 26 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
The Lakers will travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans on Tuesday, and a day later they will be in San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
