The San Antonio Spurs (16-7) were in complete control, cruising to a 132-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (17-6) to advance to the NBA Cup semi-finals on December 11.
Here are the top performers and the key stats of the game:
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Stephon Castle SAS PG 30 PTS| 10 REB | 6 AST | 47.0 FPS
Castle looked strong in his second game back from injury, pouring in 21 second-half points and grabbing double-digit rebounds for the second time this season. This was also his fifth double-double of the year.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Marcus Smart LAL PG 26 PTS | 8-14 3PT | 3 REB | 33.1 FPS
Smart erupted for his first 20-point game this year with a season-high performance from the three-point area.
SCORING MACHINES:
Luka Doncic LAL PG 35 PTS | 5 REB | 8 AST | 53.0 FPS
Doncic scored 30+ points for the ninth straight game, but his rebounding dipped after posting three consecutive double-digit efforts. Still, he delivered solid value in playmaking and currently ranks sixth in the league in total assists this season.
De’Aaron Fox SAS PG 20 PTS | 4 REB | 2 STL| 34.3 FPS
Fox converted four triples for the fourth time this season and has also scored at least 20 points in five of his last six outings.
STAT SPECIALIST:
LeBron James LAL SF 19 PTS | 15 REB | 3 BLK | 55.0 FPS
James delivered an outstanding all-around performance, shooting 50% from the field and falling just short of his third 20-point game of the season. He also recorded season highs in both rebounds and blocks, and has now posted at least six assists in seven of his eight games this season.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Devin Vassell SAS SG 4 REB | 3 STL | 1 BLK | 31.3 FPS
Vassell’s shooting struggles showed today, finishing 2-for-10 from the field but he made up for it in defense, posting at least 3 steals for just the third time this season.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Harrison Barnes SAS PF 16 PTS | 4-9 3PT | 1 STL | 23.1 FPS
Barnes has hit 4 three-pointers in back-to-back games and for the seventh time this season and also scored at least 15 points for the ninth time.
THE X-FACTOR:
Keldon Johnson SAS SF 17 PTS | 8 REB | 1 STL | 29.6 FPS
Johnson has been consistent on offense, scoring in double-digits for the 12th consecutive time while also shooting 50% or better in his last seven games. He also continues to produce on the boards, posting at least 5 rebounds in 16 of his last 17 games.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Julian Champagnie SAS SF 16 PTS | 7 REB | 1 BLK | 32.4 FPS
Julian continues to be efficient on offense, shooting 50% or better in his last four and scoring 14+ points thrice. He’s also been a steady rebounder this month, averaging 5.6 boards in five games.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Austin Reaves LAL SG 15 PTS | 8 REB | 7 AST
Reaves had a solid all-around performance, but his shooting struggles were obvious, finishing 6-for-16 from the field and scoring 16 or less for the third time after putting up five 30+ point games in his last eight games.
