Contemplating how exhausting they’ve been to return by in current seasons and what level of the season they’re at, there shouldn’t be many too complaints in regards to the Lakers hanging on to beat the Raptors on Friday.
But it surely additionally can be honest to say they made a recreation that seemed set to be a straightforward win into one thing rather more tough. After main by practically 30 factors within the first half, the Lakers needed to grind out a win down the stretch.
In some ways, it felt reminiscent to final season. I believe it’s honest to say that there’s loads of rational reasoning to present the workforce a while to see be taught collectively on this new system to not go too overboard about Friday’s win.
However the PTSD was sturdy.
So, let’s dive into the win. As all the time, grades are based mostly on expectations for every participant. A “B” grade represents the typical efficiency for that participant.
Anthony Davis
36 minutes, 38 factors, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 14-20 FG, 10-11 FT, +7
What a dominant show. Simply totally dominant. AD did it in a variety of methods on Friday, together with repeatedly leaking out for straightforward baskets.
It additionally felt that on a variety of his makes an attempt, misses and makes, he was fouled and it wasn’t known as. This might have simply been a 40-point evening. Seeing him not simply featured offensively however made the point of interest has been superb to see.
Grade: A+
Rui Hachimura
33 minutes, 9 factors, 5 rebounds, 1 help, 3-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-1 FT, -6
This was a extremely tough one for Rui. Whereas I admire the mentality he’s had in attacking the rim, he has to combine some issues up as a result of he’s getting blocked no less than as soon as a recreation when he will get there.
Now, to his credit score, the 2 fourth-quarter 3-pointers he knocked down have been huge pictures. That additionally speaks to his mentality as properly. And it’ll sway my grade a superb bit as a result of these have been some stress 3-pointers even when they have been open given the context of the sport and his struggles to that time.
Grade: C+
LeBron James
36 minutes, 27 factors, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 9-17 FG, 5-8 3PT, 4-6 FT, +11
A pleasant bounce again recreation from LeBron after coping with sickness all week and never wanting himself. He hit some actually well timed 3-pointers within the second half as properly.
It did really feel like each post-up by LeBron resulted in a missed shot. Hopefully with an additional day without work earlier than taking part in in Detroit, he can get again to 100%. But when sub-100% LeBron provides you 27-6-10 at age 40, then you definately chuckle whereas taking that each time.
Grade: A-
D’Angelo Russell
32 minutes, 19 factors, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 7-13 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, +14
This was fairly safely D’Lo’s finest recreation of the season. Whereas he had moments as a playmaker this season, his scoring was not there.
On Friday, he discovered his rhythm, together with a pair of massive buckets within the fourth quarter. Hopefully, this jumpstarts his season as a result of his worth drops considerably if he isn’t scoring.
Grade: A-
Austin Reaves
34 minutes, 20 factors, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4-13 FG, 0-6 3PT, 12-14 FT, -3
Within the first half, I assumed Reaves performed properly as he was 4-6 from the sector and missed his solely 3-point try. However whether or not it was the knee/ankle harm he suffered simply earlier than the half or one thing else, he was woeful capturing the ball within the second half.
And nonetheless, he discovered a approach to get to the road repeatedly and grift his approach to a 20-point recreation. It was ugly, it was James Harden-esque but it surely was efficient and the Lakers wanted it.
Grade: B-
Jaxson Hayes
quarter-hour, 4 factors, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1-1 FG, 2-2 FT, +2
I preferred the vitality from Jaxson total on the evening. However his minutes additionally coincided with the Lakers seemingly bleeding factors. A few of that I’d chalk as much as the Lakers giving up an entire lot of baseline backcuts that he couldn’t cease on the rim. Total, the Lakers’ protection has to get quite a bit higher.
Grade; B
Gabe Vincent
21 minutes, 2 factors, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1-6 FG, 0-4 3PT, -4
I wish to consider that it’s a course of for everybody to regulate to a brand new system. And I wish to consider that Vincent will want a while after mainly lacking an entire season.
However, man, he’s actually sapping numerous the optimism away. That was a tough exhibiting. When mainly each Laker had no less than some stretch the place they performed properly, Vincent simply struggled all through.
The perfect factor going for Vincent is that Jarred Vanderbilt isn’t wholesome. In any other case, it is perhaps his spot within the rotation that might be at jeopardy.
Grade: F
Max Christie
13 minutes, 7 factors, 5 rebounds, 1 help, 1-1 FG, 5-5 FT, +7
It was good to see Christie have a constructive recreation for possibly the primary time this common season. That almost all of it got here on the free throw line isn’t possibly essentially the most superb consequence, however beggars can’t be choosers.
Additionally, please, anybody, somebody have a dialogue with Max about not going up for a two-handed dunk on the rim each time.
Grade: B+
Dalton Knecht
19 minutes, 5 factors, 2 rebounds, 1 help, 2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT, +4
Knecht is beginning to determine some issues out and it’s good to see. There’ll be an adjustment interval of him studying the right way to contribute in opposition to actual NBA gamers and never end-of-bench guys in rubbish time.
However there are nonetheless the moments and flashes that give loads of optimism.
Grade: B
Bronny James
Why did he test in? Was it as a result of the followers chanted for him? Let’s not make this a factor.
JJ Redick
In a recreation like this with such a giant comeback, numerous focus goes to timeout utilization to cease runs. I didn’t actually have any complaints there. Every timeout felt prefer it got here on the proper second, however he additionally held them at instances and let the Lakers determine some issues out.
He additionally tweaked the rotation to nice success, mixing issues as much as put Austin and LeBron collectively and D’Lo and AD collectively. It helped the workforce dangle in there ultimately of first quarters once they often get bludgeoned.
Grade: A-
Friday’s DNPs: Cam Reddish
Friday’s inactives: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Koloko, Maxwell Lewis, Quincy Olivari, Armel Traore, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wooden
