Davis Debuts in Mavericks Win Over Rockets; Lakers Won Over Pacers Sans Doncic, Lebron
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Feb 2025
Anthony Davis finally made his debut for Dallas, topping with 26 points and 16 rebounds in the Mavericks 116-105 home win over the struggling Houston Rockets.
However, trade opposite Luka Doncic has yet to play his first with Los Angeles due to calf injury and despite Lebron James joining him in the sick bay, the Lakers still won over the visiting Indiana Pacers, 124-117 with Austin Reaves scoring a high 45 points.
As was first reported, Davis got to play his old power forward position with Daniel Gafford tending the slot in the absence of the injured main big man Derrick Lively III. That inspired Davis and with him playing well alongside former teammate Maxie Christie who followed up his fine game yesterday with 25 points, the Lakers broke the game wide open in the first half posting a 65-48 lead.
Houston fought back hard through center Alperen Sengun who topped for the Rockets with 30 points in collaboration with Jalen Green (24) and Amen Thompson (20) to bring the gap to manageable levels by the middle of the third quarter.
But Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall and Kyrie Irving made their presence felt and foiled every attempt of Houston to close the gap with timely baskets as Dallas finished with plenty to spare. Marshall poured 16 points while Irving and Thompson scored 13 points each and Spencer Dinwiddle added 10 points.
Four other Rockets in Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore and Steven Adams made considerable contributions to Houston's cause but none hit double figures in scoring though relief center Adams supported Sengun in the paint by corralling 12 rebounds. The Rockets were without veteran guard Fred Van Fleet who could have helped in scoring and spreading the floor.
The win raised Dallas record to 28-25 still 8th while the loss, fifth straight for Houston, saw its record drop to 32-20, now 5th in the West.
The surprise of the day was Los Angeles victory over Indiana despite missing both Lebron and Doncic.
Reaves (45) and Riu Hachimura (24) carried the fight for the Lakers with firepower support from Gabe Vincent (12) and Jordan Goodwin (11) and continued steady performance of center Jaxson Hayes who accounted for 9 points and 12 rebounds.
Indiana was led by Pascal Siakam with 23 points and he was backed up by Tyrese Halliburton (19), Bernard Mathurin (16) and Obi Toppin (14). But ace guard Andrew Nembrand scored only 2 points. The Pacers also missed ace center Myles Turner alfhough relief center Thomas Bryant managed 13 points and 8 boards.
The victory, LA's 12fh in 15 games upped its record to 31-19, well within its target of top four in the West while Indiana impaired to 29-22, still fourth in the East.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Irish welterweight contender Paddy Donovan Positioned for another World title shot
Fri, 17 Oct 2025DAY ONE: TEAM ASIA LAUNCHES TITLE DEFENCE WITH DOMINANT WHITEWASH AS AJ ‘STARBOY’ MANAS SHINES
Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONNOR MITCHELL SIGNS FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AND DREAMS OF SURPASSING HIS LEGENDARY FATHER
Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONWAY-LIDDARD YORK HALL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Thu, 16 Oct 2025PR Run - Break Your Record on Oct. 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 16 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 16 Oct 2025BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
Thu, 16 Oct 2025Mendoza bags bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 16 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 16 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 16 Oct 2025YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
Wed, 15 Oct 2025JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025