Sawt Falasteen - Doncic, Reaves lead Lakers over Knicks

Slovenian star Doncic rattled in five three-pointers and shot 11-of-25 from the field to help the Lakers complete a wire-to-wire victory in Los Angeles.

The Lakers went into the game short-handed with James ruled out with a left elbow contusion following a heavy fall in Thursday's defeat to Denver.

But Doncic and Austin Reaves picked up the offensive slack, combining for 60 points against a potent Knicks team who have averaged 117 points per game this season.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said his team's all-round effort in stifling the Knicks' offense had created the platform for victory.

"We always have three keys defensively, and three keys offensively," Redick said. "Tonight there was one key – and that was multiple efforts. We did that throughout the game, not just in spurts.

"This was going to be a gritty, tough game that we had to win with effort – and we did that."

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks scoring with 25 points, while Jalen Brunson added 24.

The Lakers improved to 39-25 with the victory and are fifth in the Western Conference, 10 and a half games behind leaders Oklahoma City (50-15), who face the Houston Rockets later Sunday.

Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum continued his successful return to action following a 10-month injury layoff with 20 points in the Boston Celtics' 109-98 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jaylen Brown led Boston's scorers with 23 points with five Celtics players finishing in double figures as they improved to 43-21 to remain hard on the heels of the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.

"I think we did a good job," said Tatum, who returned to the Celtics lineup on Friday after nearly 300 days on the sidelines rehabbing a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

"I can't stress enough how happy I am to be out here playing, with the team, with the guys, competing, making plays, making mistakes," Tatum added. "Just happy to be out there.”

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland's scoring with 30 points. The Cavaliers remain in fourth spot in the Eastern Conference on 39-25.

Q.Najjar--SF-PST