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Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 sophomore Talen Horton Tucker outplayed Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic on a couple of plays in Saturday\u2019s vital head-to-head matchup between both teams. THT\u2019s most solid play so far was this filthy pass to the cutting Wesley Matthews, who scored a bucket out of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
pic.twitter.com\/XqE7oDBXNC
\n\u2014 Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 25, 2021<\/p>\n
The Lakers, who dropped to the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings, led the Mavericks 58-46 at halftime at that point. These two teams battled last Thursday as the Mavericks went on to win. The winner of Saturday\u2019s game will not only stay afloat in the standings but also have the tie-breaker between both teams\u2014which could be big down the line.\u00a0
\nThe Lakers\u2019 have been derailed by injuries this season but have managed to tread water especially while both Anthony Davis and LeBron James out. One of the players that has gotten more playing time in Davis and James\u2019 absence is THT, who is averaging 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.\u00a0
\nAside from THT\u2019s signature drive and reverse layup move, the sophomore has shown improvement in his jump shot and passing. This is certainly a good sight for the Lakers, who didn\u2019t want to give up THT during the trade deadline. If THT continues to stand out in the next few games left in the regular season, he might make the defending champions\u2019 playoff rotation down the road.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lakers all over Luka on defense. pic.twitter.com\/nJN5BrOmP4
\n\u2014 NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 25, 2021<\/p>\n
THT and the Lakers have exceeded expectations as they continue to play competitive basketball with their captain out. They remained pesky on defense and have showed resilience every game\u2014the true depiction of a championship team.\u00a0<\/p>\n