Lakers take down Mavs to secure home-court advantage in NBA Cup quarterfinals

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers take down the Mavericks and spoil Anthony Davis' first game back at Crypto.com Arena since being traded, beating Dallas 129-119 on Friday night to improve to 14-4 and 4-0 in Cup games.

With the win over Dallas, the Lakers not only push their win streak to six games—which now stands as a season high—but also secure home-court advantage for the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup.

They will now face the Spurs on Dec. 10 (7 p.m.) in the quarterfinals.

The Mavs made an emphasis on trying to keep Luka Dončić from going, doubling him immediately after the opening tip-off. The Lakers came out firing in the first quarter, creating success from Dallas blitzing Dončić off of every screen he got.

Despite a lackluster second quarter, with the Mavs outscoring the Lakers 40-32 and taking their first lead of the game, the Lakers' win was pushed by an explosive two-man performance from Dončić and Austin Reaves, who combined for 26 points in the second half and 73 points on the night.

The night saw 14 lead changes as Dallas matched every Dončić and Reaves bucket, mostly from 3, in the second half behind eight Mavericks scoring in double figures.

Dončić poured in 17 of his 35 points in the second half, while Reaves had 19 of his game-high 38 points in the latter half. It also was Reaves' most efficient shooting game of the season, shooting 80% from the field and 75% from 3.

Dončić and Reaves combined for 10 of the Lakers' 18 triples as they finished with a season-high 51.4% from 3.

The Lakers fans welcomed Anthony Davis and Max Christie with loud cheers when they were announced during the Mavs starting lineup. Davis had 12 points, five assists and five rebounds in his return from a 14-game absence.

The Lakers will play the Pelicans next at home on Sunday, followed by the Suns on Monday, before a six-game road trip.