Luka Doncic can guide the Lakers to a perfect record in group play of the NBA Cup, and do it against his former team, when Los Angeles plays host to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.The Lakers already have advanced to the quarterfinals of the in-season tournament thanks to a 3-0 mark in West Group B, while the Mavericks have been eliminated from a chance to move on due to a 1-2 record. But Doncic is far from without incentive.The five-time All-Star helped the Lakers to a pair of victories over the Mavericks last season following his shocking trade to Los Angeles, including a 45-point outburst at Dallas on April 9.More important, the Friday game provides a fourth chance for Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James to play together after James’ return from sciatica.The trio dominated in a 135-118 home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday that clinched the Lakers’ spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Doncic amassed 43 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. Reaves logged 31 points and nine rebounds, and James posted a season-high 25 points to go with six rebounds and six assists.”It was a great game for all three of those guys,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Luka getting going early and establishing himself. LeBron and AR, staying patient within that, being very efficient in that first half within that onslaught that Luka had knowing that there’s going to be adjustments made.”James, a four-time MVP in his 23rd season, appears to have no issue following somebody else’s lead.”Luka got it going early,” James said. “Kind of set the tone of what it was going to be offensively, and then we just followed that train.”Tied for second in the Western Conference, the Lakers now will face the team tied for second worst.
