NBA: Luka Doncic, Lakers overpower Bucks, run winning streak to 7
Luka Doncic scored 32 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 23 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their seventh consecutive win, a 123-112 decision over the host Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
Austin Reaves, who left the game due to a left heel injury, poured in 18 for the Lakers, who became the league's first team to 11 wins. Walker Kessler contributed 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Milwaukee took its eighth straight loss and remains stuck on one win this season. It was the ninth time this season the Bucks fell by a double-digit margin.
Tyler Herro, back from a knee injury that kept him out of one game, led Milwaukee with 27 points and seven assists. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 25 points and five rebounds.
Doncic got off to a blazing start, scoring 16 points in the opening quarter on 5-of-9 shooting. Still, the Bucks were up to the challenge on offense early, as the Lakers led just 30-28 going into the second.
Los Angeles found a bit more separation in the second, outscoring the Bucks 31-22 to go into halftime up 61-50. Herro scored half of Milwaukee's points in the quarter, but the Bucks went just 2-for-11 from 3-point range.
The Bucks' offense never picked up after that until the game was out of reach, while Los Angeles kept on rolling.
The Lakers shot 7-for-11 from beyond the arc in the third, winning the quarter 33-23 behind eight points from Matisse Thybulle.
After Reaves left the game in the third period, Doncic had an injury scare of his own in the fourth. Doncic sank a long 3-pointer while getting fouled by Kyle Kuzma and was holding his ankle after the make. He was able to hit the free throw and the Lakers took him out with a 24-point lead and 4:25 to play.
The Lakers have won on four of their past five visits to Milwaukee.
--Field Level Media/Reuters