Lakers' Lonzo Ball gets dunk over Spurs 7-footer

Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball got up for a powerful slam over San Antonio Spurs 7-footer Jakob Poeltl in the first quarter of a win at Staples Center.

The high-rising finish occurred with about 5:30 remaining in the opening frame of the Lakers' 121-113 triumph on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Ball received a pass from Josh Hart at the start of the play, standing straight in front of the basket while beyond the 3-point line.

He faced up against Spurs guard Patty Mills, before flashing to his left. Ball used a LeBron James screen to separate himself from the defender, while dribbling over the 3-point line. He took a few more bounces before elevating over the paint and coming up against the Spurs center.

The 6-foot-6 Ball pulled the ball back in his right hand and brought it forward, smashing it through the rim and over the 7-footer for a score. The basket gave the Lakers a 16-14 advantage.

Ball had 14 points, nine assists and four rebounds in the victory. LeBron James scored a game-high 42 points and had six assists and five rebounds for the Lakers. DeMar DeRozan poured in 32 points to lead the Spurs in the loss.

Ball -- the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft -- is averaging 8.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season for the Lakers. He is shooting 39.7 percent from the floor this season, after making 36 percent of his shots during his rookie campaign.

The Lakers face the Spurs again at 8:30 p.m. on Friday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.