Luka Doncic keeps Lakers perfect in clutch situations originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Los Angeles Lakers swept the Memphis Grizzlies over the weekend, winning 120-114 on Sunday night to extend their undefeated streak in key games this season.
advertise
The result provides an encouraging sign that LeBron James and Luka Doncic can close out games as the team continues to overcome its defensive deficiencies.
What is clutch time?
The NBA defines a clutch moment as any situation in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points.
Every team in the league has lost at least three clutch games this season. However, the Lakers improved to 12-0, including a 2-0 start against Memphis.
The contrast is very stark. Los Angeles is just 10-11 in games that never come down to the wire, and the Lakers have shown a tendency to get eliminated, especially against title contenders.
advertise
Redick credits defense for clutch moments
With such a small sample size, it’s difficult to draw sweeping conclusions about factors that are consistently effective later in the game.
“I don’t know what the latest numbers are,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said before the Memphis series, according to The Athletic. “Our defense has performed very well in key moments.” Redick has typically been critical of the Lakers’ defensive performance this season.
On Sunday, the offense sealed the win. Doncic took control of the situation at the last moment, scoring 36 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, while James had 26 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Lakers will travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans on Tuesday, one day before taking on Victor Wembunyama and the Spurs in San Antonio.
