Although the loss does not count against the Lakers’ record, the loss is their third in the last five games since they went on a seven-game winning streak. The three games in which they have lost by double digits.
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The Spurs’ speed and athleticism caused a major disruption all night against the Lakers’ defense, leading to a night in which San Antonio scored 27 fast-break points and 54 bench points behind seven players scoring in double figures.
“The things that help you win on the margins, we’re just not very good at right now. We have to ask a little bit more of everyone,” coach JJ Redick said of figuring it out in multiple areas. “We’ve always been exposed to the same things.”
Stephon Castle was San Antonio’s hot hand with a season-high 30 points (10 rebounds, six assists) on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting and three 3-pointers.
Every time the Lakers tried to create some sort of spark or run, the Spurs countered it with a gut-wrenching 3-pointer, making their 17 total on the night, or a high-effort basket. The Spurs showed more effort in the wanting more department, resulting in multiple 20-point leads throughout the game, the largest being 24.
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The Lakers had multiple runs that brought them closer to reaching the goal. One just before the half, behind a surge from Luka Dončić and LeBron James, who rocked the house with an emphatic one-handed monster facial on Luke Kornet. James finished with 19 points and a season-high 15 rebounds and three blocks.
Dončić had his ninth consecutive 30+ point game, posting 35 points, five rebounds and eight assists.
The other came from behind in the fourth quarter after Marcus Smart, who returned after missing the last six games, hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. His effort kept the Lakers fighting, finishing with 26 points and eight of 14 three-pointers from the bench.
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“When you’re out for a while, trying to catch your breath is a little tough. My back felt really good. I just wanted to bring us a little spark,” Smart said. “I wish the result was different.”
But his surge was the only impact of the Lakers’ reserves, with the rest of the bench combining for five points.
Despite a constant battle to come back from multiple 20-point leads, the Lakers shot almost identically in shooting percentages.
Lakers: 49.4% (43 of 87) from the field, 43.2% (16 of 37) from 3
Spurs: 50% (43 of 86) from the field, 44.7% (17 of 38) from 3
However, the Spurs’ ability to get to the foul line widened the gap, attempting 36 shots (made 29) from the charity stripe compared to Los Angeles’ 23 (made 17).
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Austin Reaves’ woes continued with his second straight game of fewer than 16 points. Reaves made just six of his 16 attempts with 15 points (eight rebounds, seven assists).
“The reality is, the guy has carried us around for six weeks. It takes a toll on you,” Redick said of Reaves’ problems. “You’re going to have wonderful nights and frustrating nights.”
The Lakers will now face the Suns on Sunday in Phoenix, who also lost in the quarterfinals to the Oklahoma City Thunder.