Luka Dončić pours 46 points, season high 3s in Lakers win over Bulls

CHICAGO, Illinois -- The ball was moving, the shots were falling, and Luka Dončić created magic in Chicago.

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their momentum in their road trip behind a season-high night from 3 from Dončić and an all-around effort, beating the Bulls 129-118 on the road at the United Center on Monday.

Dončić orchestrated one of his best performances of the year in the Lakers' fourth contest of a current eight-game road trip. He brought out every trick and move from his deep bag with multiple no-look, behind the back and cross-court passes against the Bulls.

The Slovenian finished with 46 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds while making eight 3s -- his season-high -- and 15 of 25 shots from the field.

The Lakers knocked down 16 three-pointers and shot 54% from beyond the arc against the Bulls, marking their third-highest totals this season in both makes and efficiency.

Things were clicking for the Lakers in the first half; their 3-ball was falling, and they disrupted Chicago's offense. They forced the Bulls -- who are the best team in the NBA at not turning it over -- to commit over 10 turnovers in the first half, even causing multiple near shot clock violations that forced the Bulls to shoot a bad shot with the clock winding down.

The Lakers reached a 20-point lead in the second quarter -- their biggest of the game -- and it looked as though it was heading toward a blowout.

Then, just like they did against the Mavericks, the Lakers had a horrendous run in the third quarter. The Bulls came out with more energy and opened the third, leading to a 24-12 run and the score within one.

As the Bulls pushed closer to taking back the lead, Dončić played hero for L.A. to keep Chicago at bay, scoring 20 points with four 3-pointers in the third quarter. 

Dončić would continue his dominance into the fourth, with the help of Rui Hachimura and LeBron James. 

James was the Lakers' halftime scoring leader with 20 points through two quarters. He played a large part in the Lakers' big start in Chicago, having multiple one-handed dunks and defensive sequences. James finished with 24 points.

Hachimura continued his damage in his new role as the team's sixth man. He started right where he left off in Dallas, hitting nearly every shot he took. Hachimura poured in 23 points on nine of 11 shooting (four made 3s).

"For me to do this kind of stuff is normal," Hachimura said.

The Lakers have won four of their last five games and will have much-needed reinforcements, with Redick hinting that Austin Reaves will make his return within the road trip.