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ATLANTA — With the Lakers down by 20 within the third quarter at Atlanta, the one sound coming from their bench was Nick Smith Jr.’s hole claps of encouragement. The remainder of the Lakers sat silently or loitered in a semicircle ready for his or her coaches to hitch.
There wasn’t a lot that may very well be stated.
The Lakers’ five-game successful streak led to a blowout because the Hawks dominated 122-102 on Saturday at State Farm Area.
Taking part in a 3rd consecutive sport with out Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic tried to maintain the Lakers (7-3) in it with 22 factors, 11 assists and 5 rebounds, however all his factors got here within the first half and he got here out after solely 27 minutes as the Hawks constructed a 25-point lead by the center of the third quarter. Ahead Jake LaRavia had 12 factors, 5 rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Jarred Vanderbilt had 18 rebounds, one shy of his profession excessive.
The Hawks (5-5) had been enjoying the second sport of a house back-to-back after dropping to the Toronto Raptors on Friday. That they had 4 of 5 starters sidelined, together with Trae Younger (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (relaxation) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (again).
They nonetheless constructed a fast 13-point lead within the first quarter because the Lakers, who had received their first 4 street video games, appeared torpid to open a five-game journey.
The Lakers ought to know the hazards of a determined, shorthanded staff. Solely 5 days in the past they ended Portland’s three-game successful streak with out Reaves, Doncic or LeBron James. Coach JJ Redick stated he would reiterate the lesson earlier than Saturday’s sport to keep away from a letdown.
Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci, middle, shoots between Lakers middle Deandre Ayton, left, and ahead Rui Hachimura within the first half Saturday.
(Mike Stewart / Related Press)
The lead grew to 14 by halftime and ballooned to 26 after three quarters as soon as Redick pulled Doncic, LaRavia and middle Deandre Ayton.
The Lakers appeared torpid from the beginning, lacking straightforward lob passes they related on constantly throughout their successful streak. They fell asleep on protection, letting the Hawks minimize straight to the basket.
Atlanta’s Mouhamed Gueye torched them for 19 factors on seven-for-nine taking pictures from the sector and made 4 three-pointers. The Lakers, who had credited their connection and chemistry for carrying them by means of lengthy stints with out their stars, abruptly fell silent when confronted with a big deficit in entrance of a rowdy crowd.
By the top, with most of Atlanta’s followers streaming towards the exits, the Hawks’ most devoted fan group, the “404 crew,” echoed by means of the principally empty area with a closing chant: “The place is LeBron?”
The celebrity has but to play a single minute this season due to a bout with sciatica.
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