Doncic records 30+5+11 but Lakers slump with only 17 points from LeBron as they suffer heavy defeat to Pistons

On December 31st, during the NBA regular season, the Pistons secured a commanding 128-106 win over the Lakers on their home court.

The Lakers’ Doncic put up 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists; LeBron scored 17 points with 4 assists; Hayes had 13 points; Ayton and Knecht each scored 10 points. The Pistons’ Cunningham led with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists; Sasser added 19 points and 5 assists; Stewart contributed 15 points; Duren posted 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals; Holland finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds.

In the first quarter, Harris scored 5 points with a drive and a jump shot, Cunningham hit a long-range shot; Ayton made an easy layup, LaRavia scored with a floater under the basket, LeBron made a reverse layup, and Doncic drained a three-pointer, keeping the game tightly contested with the Lakers narrowly leading 10-9. Duren attacked the rim repeatedly, Cunningham also stepped up to score; Ayton delivered a powerful dunk, Doncic scored with a floater under the basket and then hit another three-pointer, tying the game at 19. The teams continued to battle evenly, reaching 29-29. Ivy scored on a fast-break dunk, Sasser made a long-range shot, and by the end of the quarter, the Pistons led 36-30.

In the second quarter, Cunningham relentlessly attacked the basket, Stewart slammed a dunk, helping the Pistons extend their lead to 44-30. LeBron hit a long-range shot, Doncic made a mid-range jumper, then LeBron nailed a three-pointer, sparking a Lakers comeback. Duren responded with a dunk on the fast break, Cunningham scored with a floater, and Green and Osar pushed the pace, helping the Pistons stretch the lead to 60-49. Duren was called for a flagrant foul after elbowing LaRavia. Sasser hit a corner three, Cunningham scored a driving layup, Reed completed a three-point play; Hayes aggressively attacked the basket, Vanderbilt made a three-pointer, Smith scored a mid-range jumper, and LeBron hit a step-back three-pointer, fueling the Lakers’ chase. By halftime, the Pistons led 70-65.

In the third quarter, Stewart hit a long-range shot, Duren and Osar delivered consecutive dunks, and Duren’s turnaround jump shot also went in; Ayton threw down a dunk, Doncic hit a fadeaway jumper, LaRavia made a three-pointer, LeBron and Ayton aggressively attacked the basket again, and Doncic successfully sank a three-pointer, tying the game at 79. Cunningham scored on a floater, Holland made consecutive baskets inside, then hit a long-range shot; Ivy scored a layup, giving the Pistons a 94-86 lead. Suddenly, Doncic returned to the locker room. Ivy added a reverse layup, and the Pistons ended the quarter leading 96-88.

In the final quarter, Ivy and Sasser both hit three-pointers, extending the Pistons’ lead to 102-90. Doncic returned to the court, finally easing some tension. Sasser made an open three, Cunningham drove for a reverse layup, pushing the Pistons ahead 109-94. Stewart threw down a dunk, Green hit an open three, Cunningham completed a three-point play, and the Pistons led 117-96. The rest of the game held no suspense as the Pistons maintained their advantage and claimed the victory as expected.

Starting Lineups

Lakers: LeBron James, LaRavia, Ayton, Smart, Doncic

Pistons: Osar, Harris, Duren, Robinson, Cunningham