Lakers
The Lakers got another big night from Luka Doncic. Getting their starters an early seat on the bench proved more difficult.
Doncic finished with 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals in Sunday’s 131-125 win over the Raptors, hitting eight of his 12 attempts from deep. But as Ryan Ward of Lakers On SI detailed, a team coming off a blown 25-point lead against Golden State again had trouble finishing.
The Lakers led by as many as 26 and entered the fourth quarter up 22. Toronto scored 43 in the final period, forcing JJ Redick to bring his starters back.
Doncic’s defensive activity also stood out. Along with the steals, he drew three charges. Walker Kessler supplied 16 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks, making all six shots from the field and all four free throws.
The Lakers improved to 5-2, though their 24 turnovers gave Redick something else to address before Monday’s meeting with the Heat.
Bulls
Nic Claxton has returned to full practice after a training camp hamstring injury. That should help a Bulls team struggling to protect the basket. Whether he should immediately start is another matter.
That’s the question raised by Elias Schuster of Bulls On SI, who argues Jalen Smith has made a case to keep the job.
Smith is averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and a block through six games. Schuster points to his rebounding, energy and ability to space the floor as reasons coach Tiago Splitter shouldn’t automatically move him to the bench.
Claxton offers a different look, particularly as a rim protector and lob target for Josh Giddey. The Bulls acquired him from Brooklyn during the offseason with their interior defense in mind.
At 1-5 and allowing 52.3 points in the paint per game, Chicago needs help there. Schuster expects Claxton eventually to start, but views Smith’s play as reason to keep that decision open to review.
Nets
The Nets finally have a win to build on.
Sunday’s 98-90 victory at Indiana ended their five-game losing streak and provided a needed response to Friday’s ugly loss to Detroit, as Ivan White of Nets On SI writes.
Brooklyn had shown signs of progress in an overtime loss at Boston before taking a step backward against the Pistons. White views the Pacers win as an opportunity to regain some confidence after that uneven opening stretch.
The next test comes quickly. The Nets visit the Knicks on Monday, playing the second night of a back-to-back with a chance to follow their first win with one against the defending champions.
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