Lakers vs. Heat Final Score: Luka scores 60 as LA wins eighth straight

A 60-point game from Luka Dončić paired with a triple-double from LeBron James led the Lakers to their eighth straight win on Thursday as they knocked off the Heat in Miami, 134-126.

Given the circumstances of it being the second night of a back-to-back and the team not arriving at their hotel until after 5 a.m., this was one of the unlikeliest wins of the season.

LA trailed by as many as 15 in the first half before racing back to take a double-digit lead in the second half. Luka caught fire in the third and fourth quarters to put the game to rest, scoring an ethical 60 points compared to other recent scoring outbursts this season.

The game began with Deandre Ayton fouling Bam Adebayo, who converted on both free throws. Fortunately, that was not the beginning of an 83-point night again.

LA fumbled the ball on the other end, leading to Davion Mitchell draining a 3-pointer. The Heat jumped to a nine-point lead as Los Angeles tried to find their offense.

Marcus Smart scored first for the Lakers on a pair of free throws.

LA heated up with every starter scoring. Luka Dončić drained a pair of triples and had eight points. Los Angeles struggled defensively, leaving shooters open. At the 6:08 mark, Miami was up by five.

The Lakers had already given up 24 points in the paint.

Fatigue seemed to be a huge factor in LA’s lack of defense. They struggled to focus on both sides of the ball. Luka led the team with 12 points. Bam led Miami with nine points. At the end of the first, the purple and gold were down by 13.

The second period began with Los Angeles turning the ball over, resulting in an easy layup for Dru Smith. LeBron James responded on the other end with a mid-range jumper. He was perfect from the field again, going 4-4 in this half so far.

At the 7:30 mark, LA was down by 11.

LeBron entered double-figures with 11 points. He and Luka were the only Lakers to find consistent offense. Austin Reaves had just four points.

Luka poured in five more, helping cut into the deficit until a 3-pointer from Tyler Herro put Miami up by nine with 2:37 left in the half.

Rui Hachimura was having a productive showing off the bench with seven points.

After going down by as much as 15, the Lakers did well to crawl back into the game to trail by just six at halftime.

The third period began as a shooting clinic for both teams. LeBron continued his perfect shooting, converting on a layup. Luka drained three 3-pointers, helping put LA in front.

Smart also knocked one down himself. LeBron was still perfect, up to 7-7 from the field. Los Angeles was up by three at the 6:52 mark.

LA continued to stretch their lead, taking all the momentum. They were winning the quarter 33-17 while shooting 63% in the period.

The Heat scored a quick four points as the quarter wound down. Going into the fourth, the purple and gold were up by nine.

Norman Powell knocked down a 3-pointer to start the final frame. The Lakers missed two opportunities to score, but Reaves was sent to the charity stripe and converted on one of two free throws.

A minute and a half into the period, LA was up by seven.

Reaves was having a nice quarter, knocking down a triple that helped keep Los Angeles with a good cushion on their lead. He had five points in the quarter and 15 total for the game. Luka put the Lakers up by eight with seven minutes left.

The game slowed down as the referees called a few fouls, leading to plenty of free throws for both teams. Herro drained a 3-pointer to make it a six-point deficit at the 5:10 mark for Miami.

After what felt like 400 free throws, both teams started making shots. Luka turned his jets on and took over for seven points to reach 50 points and put the Lakers up by nine with 3:40 left.

Herro kept the Heat in it, scoring five to make it a four-point game with 2:17 left. Things went into chaotic mode as Luka and LeBron took over, Luka draining an insane triple and LeBron converting on a layup.

LA was up six with 54 seconds left in the game. Reaves was fouled and converted on one of two free throws. Luka was fouled with 14 seconds left, and he converted on one of two free throws for 60 points.

Luka finished with 60 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals. He became the franchise leader in single-season 3-pointers, passing D’Angelo Russell.

LeBron had a triple-double of 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Reaves ended with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Hachimura scored seven points off the bench. Jake LaRavia logged five points with six rebounds. Jaxson Hayes pitched in with six points and five rebounds.

The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Orlando Magic on Saturday at 4:00 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.