Luka Doncic, Lakers start fast, cruise past Pacers

Luka Doncic scored 28 of his 43 points in the first half as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 137-130 on Wednesday in Indianapolis.

Doncic also had seven assists and six rebounds for Los Angeles (47-26), while Austin Reaves paired 25 points with eight assists.

LeBron James flirted with a triple-double, racking up 23 points, nine boards and nine assists, and Jaxson Hayes threw down seven dunks as he posted season highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Pascal Siakam scored 20 points for Indiana (16-57) and Jay Huff contributed 18 as seven Pacers reaching double figures in scoring.

T.J. McConnell added 17 off the bench and Andrew Nembhard's 14 points were complemented by a career-best 19 assists as Indiana rallied late to turn a 29-point third-quarter deficit into a two-possession game late.

The Pacers were left to rue a poor start, coughing the ball up four times before they had even attempted a shot, allowing the Lakers to streak to a 10-0 lead, which they never relinquished.

Indiana conceded 17 points from seven turnovers for the quarter, at the end of which Los Angeles held sway 45-28.

Doncic had 21 of those points on 8 of 12 from the floor and 3 of 5 from 3-point range.

Led by Doncic, the Lakers shot 16 of 25 for the period, including 6 of 9 from deep.

Siakam was quiet early but active in the second quarter as the Pacers, who fell behind by 24, went on a 17-4 run, to close the gap to 65-54.

After not having a turnover in the opening frame, Los Angeles had five in the second but still led easily 75-59 at halftime.

Doncic got going again after the break as the Lakers grew their advantage to 94-65.

Doncic had 11 for the quarter as Los Angeles led 105-85 with one to play.

Despite Siakam getting ejected in the fourth after incurring his second technical foul, the Pacers fought to the finish, hitting 17 of 23 for the quarter, which they dominated 45-32 to scale back the deficit.