Lakers Snap Losing Streak Behind Triple-Double From Julius Randle

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The return of Lonzo Ball and a stellar effort from Julius Randle resulted in the Los Angeles Lakers blowing out the Dallas Mavericks, 124-102, to snap a three-game losing streak. Playing for the first time since Jan. 13, Ball had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists in 17 minutes off the bench.

While the Lakers attacked the Julius Randle-Harrison Barnes matchup in previous meetings with the Mavericks this season, Friday saw them looking to exploit Dirk Nowitzki who was tasked with guarding Brook Lopez.

That led to Nowitzki picking up two quick fouls, and Lopez scoring three of the Lakers’ first six points. As the Mavericks’ deficit began to grow, Ball and Isaiah Thomas checked in together with the Lakers leading 20-5.

Ball immediately made a 3-pointer, sending Staples Center into an early frenzy. And though he wasn’t the focal point of the offense, Randle and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tied for the team high with six points in the first.

That set the tone for the night, particularly with Randle, who had 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to record a fifth career triple-double.

The Lakers’ lead grew to as many as 22 points, through the Mavericks managed to cut into it on multiple occasions. One such instance came early in the third quarter, as Wesley Matthews caught fire and made four 3-pointers.

Caldwell-Pope nearly matched Matthews’ efforts, knocking down each of his three attempts from deep in the quarter, and the Lakers held a 19-point advantage heading into the fourth.

Nowitzki’s 3-pointer in the fourth quarter pulled the Mavericks to within 13 points and prompted Lakers head coach Luke Walton to call a timeout. His team responded well from the break in action and never allowed Dallas to get another look at the game.

In his first home game with the Lakers, Thomas led all bench players with 17 points, adding two rebounds and four assists. Overall, Los Angeles had seven players score in double-figures. One of which was Ivica Zubac, who scored 14 points while receiving the bulk of the minutes at backup center.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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