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LUKA DONCIC AND REAVES: NBA'S TOP-SCORING DUO FUELS LAKERS SUCCESS

MVP-calibre Luka Doncic, averaging 35.1 PPG, was named Player of the Week as the 15-4 Lakers ride a 7-game win streak. Doncic and Reaves are the NBA's top-scoring duo.

Luka Doncic and Reaves: NBA's Top-Scoring Duo Fuels Lakers Success
Luka Doncic Named Western Conference Player of the Week

The Los Angeles Lakers are having a great season so far, sitting at 15-4 and riding a seven-game win streak as they head into Monday night's game. That puts them second in the Western Conference, just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Even though LeBron James has only played in four of the team's 19 games, he doesn't need to carry the team anymore. With Luka Doncic on board, James can take a step back while still helping the Lakers win. Right now, Doncic is playing like an MVP.

This last week was typical for the 26-year-old. Luka averaged 37.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game. His performance helped Los Angeles beat the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans by double digits. Because of his great play, the NBA named Doncic Western Conference Player of the Week.

Luka Dončić Is Playing Like an MVP

Luka Dončić's great week isn't a fluke. The former first-round pick is averaging 35.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game for the season. He's scored at least 30 points in 11 games this season, including six in a row.

He hasn't won the MVP award yet, but this might be his year. In the past, Doncic has had to compete with guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This year, Doncic is playing better than all of them.

The 6-foot-8 guard is the league's top scorer and is second in usage percentage. The Lakers depend on Doncic, and he's stepping up. He's on pace to have a career-best season in points per game. Doncic has scored over 30 points per game twice in his career, and this season might be the third time.

Doncic and Austin Reaves: A Great Duo

Doncic isn't doing it all alone. He has James to rely on, but Austin Reaves has been a pleasant surprise this season. Reaves is averaging 28.8 points per game and is a perfect fit next to Doncic. In fact, Doncic and Reaves are the first Lakers duo in 50 years to each score at least 30 points in three straight games.

Going into Monday night, they are the highest-scoring duo in the NBA, averaging 63.9 points per game. The Lakers, as a team, average 119.6 points. If these two stay healthy, the Lakers will be one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles plays the Phoenix Suns at home on Monday night. Then, the Lakers will go on a three-game road trip to end the week.

WARRIORS' NEW DYNAMIC: STEVE KERR EXPLAINS HOW PAT SPENCER FITS WITH STEPH CURRY BACK

Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed Pat Spencer's excellent play (13.6 PPG, 59% FG) guarantees him minutes, even with Steph Curry returning to the backcourt rotation.

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Warriors Must Keep Playing Pat Spencer, Even with Steph's Return

The Golden State Warriors may have found a gem in guard Pat Spencer while Steph Curry was out. It sounds like they plan to keep him in the mix.

Coach Steve Kerr talked on Tuesday about how Spencer will fit in now that Curry is back.

"I'm not going to cut his minutes completely," Kerr said about Spencer on the Willard & Dibs show on Tuesday, December 9. I plan to play him with Steph some. We'll see how it goes. It will depend on who we're playing, how well we defend, and which three guys we put out there with them. It's something we still need to figure out.”

Kerr added, But with how Pat is playing and how he’s helping us win and bringing a competitive attitude to the team. I have to keep playing him. We’re winning, and he’s a big reason why.

Spencer has played well in the 5 games since Curry got hurt.

Curry hurt his quadriceps against the Houston Rockets on November 26. He’s scheduled to be back on Friday, December 12, at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In those five games without Curry, the Warriors went 3-2. Spencer started in the last two wins.

In those five games, Spencer played about 23 minutes each night. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, plus almost one steal per game. He shot nearly 60% from the field and almost 67% from three on around two attempts a game.

The Warriors are now 13-12 for the season and are currently eighth in the Western Conference.

Draymond Green will practice before the Warriors' next game.

Curry is coming back on Friday after the team had five days off because they didn't make the NBA Cup tournament. Draymond Green, Curry's longtime teammate, is still uncertain.

Green has missed the last two games with a foot injury. Kerr hoped Green might return on Friday, but he doesn't have enough info yet.

Kerr said, "He's supposed to practice [Wednesday] and scrimmage [Thursday]." Afterwards, we'll know more about how close he is to coming back. I don't know yet if he'll be able to play on Friday.

After a three-game road trip in the East, the Warriors play one home game before going back on the road for two games out West. Golden State plays the Portland Trail Blazers on December 14 and then the Phoenix Suns on December 18.

"HE LOOKS GOOD OUT THERE":LEBRON JAMES PROUDLY PRAISES BRONNY'S NBA IMPROVEMENT

LeBron admits balancing team leadership with advising Bronny is hard, but says the young Laker star must experience challenges to reach his full potential.

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LeBron Explains The Tricky Balance of Mentoring Bronny as a Teammate.

LeBron James missed training camp and the first 14 games this season—a first for him. All he could do was watch.

He got to see the Lakers start strong at 10-4, and he watched Bronny James grow as a player.

Bronny stood out in the Summer League in Las Vegas. When the season started, he even started a game against the Bucks. One of his best games was against the Hawks, where he shot 4-6 and scored 9 points.

LeBron talked about how much he enjoys watching Bronny improve on his “Mind The Game” podcast.

“It’s been great, as a father and someone who loves the game, to see him build on what he did in the G League, get comfortable, and then do even better in the Summer League. Now, when he gets his chances this year, he just looks good out there. Young players get better with more time on the court.

“You pick up the little things, and you get used to the speed and strength of the game. I was really proud of him in those games when Luka, AR, or Marcus was out. He played well at home and then had a tough back-to-back in Portland and did it again. That’s what the NBA is all about.”

Every player's path is different, but Bronny's is unique. As part of the first father-son duo in the NBA, he's under a huge spotlight, especially as a late second-round pick.

He seems to handle it well, though he admitted the pressure got to him at first. Now that things have calmed down, he can focus on his game.

Even with less media attention, Bronny’s situation is still special. His dad is not just his coworker but also one of the best to ever play the game.

Bronny can’t change that. LeBron has to figure out how to handle it, as he mentioned on the podcast.

“It’s a tricky balance. During practice and games, I’m a leader on the team. But we also have time where I can give him advice based on what I see. He has to go his own way, and I can share what I’ve learned, but he needs to experience things for himself. Going through those challenges will teach him the most.”

Despite some concerns about the LeBron-Bronny dynamic, it hasn’t been a problem.

Bronny is getting better and looks more comfortable in NBA games. The Lakers are one of the top teams in the West, so it’s tough for him to get consistent playing time. Still, he’s ready, and he’ll get his chance when injuries happen.

If Bronny keeps working hard and improving, he’ll reach his full potential, and that’s what matters most.

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