Chicago — Luka Dončić delivered a dominant all-around performance with 46 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls 129–118 on Monday night.
LeBron James scored 24 points, including 20 in the first half, while Rui Hachimura added 23 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting. The win improved the Lakers to 3–1 on their eight-game road trip.
Los Angeles avenged last season’s sweep by Chicago, which included a dramatic 119–117 loss at the United Center on Josh Giddey’s half-court buzzer-beater.
Coby White led the Bulls with 23 points, while Ayo Dosunmu scored 20. Chicago entered the game riding a four-game winning streak and had won five of its last six contests.
The Bulls shot 18-of-49 from three-point range, continuing a hot stretch in which they have made at least 17 three-pointers in five straight games.
The Lakers built a lead of up to 20 points, but Chicago rallied to pull within 81–80 on Nikola Vučević’s two free throws midway through the third quarter. Marcus Smart halted the momentum with a three-point play, followed by free throws from Dončić and a three-pointer by Hachimura to restore a nine-point lead.
Dončić caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting. His three-pointer and free throw pushed the Lakers ahead 104–89 entering the fourth.
Los Angeles shot 56 percent from the field (46-of-82) and went 16-of-33 from beyond the arc.
Six Bulls players scored in double figures. Vučević recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Giddey finished with 19 points.Six Bulls players scored in double figures. Vučević recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Giddey finished with 19 points.
The Lakers seized control with a 25–6 run spanning the end of the first quarter and start of the second. James’ fast-break dunk made it 51–37 with just over seven minutes left in the second quarter. Chicago closed the half with a 7–0 run, cutting the deficit to 69–56 at the break. Dončić had 17 points and eight assists in the first half.
Up next:
The Lakers visit Cleveland on Wednesday night.
The Bulls travel to Indiana on Wednesday night.