Luka Doncic Scores 42 for the Fourth 40-Point Game in Five Nights, and Giannis Takes Notice

Luka Doncic Scores 42 as Lakers Beat Heat 138-117

Luka Doncic had 42 points and 13 assists in Los Angeles' 138-117 win over Miami on Monday, ESPN reported. It was his fourth game of 40 or more points in his past five and his fifth straight with 20-plus in the first half, the first Laker to do that since Kobe Bryant in 2007. Over those five games he has averaged 43.4 points on 53.2% shooting, 44.7% from three and 89.1% at the line.

Of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that.

Miami blitzed Doncic on seven on-ball screens and Los Angeles scored on six of them, ESPN said. The Lakers finished with 39 assists, the most in coach JJ Redick's tenure, and moved to 6-2, fourth in the West. Miami fell to 2-5.

Our Read: What a Heater Means for the Lakers

• The passing matters as much as the points. Scoring on six of seven blitzes means the defense has no easy answer yet. Shooting 44.7% from three is the part we would expect to cool.
• Shot-making streaks regress. A scoring average of 38.8 is historic territory, and teammate Quentin Grimes said everything he shoots looks like it is going in. That is a description of a hot stretch, not a rate to project.
• The opponent helps the story. Miami is 2-5, and the next opponent, Sacramento at 1-6, is also struggling. The schedule has been kind, and that cuts against reading too much into it.
• The case for staying power is real. His career average of 29.32 trails only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, per ESPN, so he has the base to sustain a high level even if the peak fades.

ESPN's odds feed carried no line for the Kings game as of this writing, so we have no market comparison to offer.

What to Watch for the Lakers at Kings

• Whether Doncic keeps scoring 20 or more in the first half against Sacramento.
• Whether the Lakers hold near 39 assists, or the offense leans on his scoring again.
• His three-point percentage, which is well above his usual range during this run.
• How many minutes he plays if the game is decided early, as Monday's was.

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