It wasn’t an accident that the Lakers’ first play went to Deandre Ayton. Or that the star large man obtained the primary shot of the third. Or that teammates fed him for back-to-back dunks to assist spark a run of 5 consecutive scoring possessions early within the second half.
After Ayton completed final Friday’s win on the bench, the 7-foot heart bounced again with 15 factors and eight rebounds towards the Grizzlies on Sunday because the Lakers made some extent to contain the large man early.
Ayton scored simply 4 factors with six rebounds throughout Friday’s win and watched a decent fourth quarter from the bench as a result of, as coach JJ Redick mentioned, backup Jaxson Hayes “was enjoying higher.” Redick mentioned Saturday that Ayton was “annoyed” he wasn’t getting the ball extra in current video games, and his disillusionment confirmed up on the court docket.
“It’s a story as previous as time for a giant man,” Redick mentioned after Sunday’s sport. “That’s the truth of being a giant: somebody has to go you the ball. You’re not initiating the offense.”
Redick mentioned the workforce recognized moments the place teammates may have been higher at discovering the previous No. 1 general decide. There have been additionally different occasions when Ayton may have been extra lively on his personal. Redick mentioned he largely wished to see Ayton being lively, engaged and assertive within the sport.
Ayton responded by changing six of his eight pictures Sunday and serving to the workforce lock down on protection within the fourth. The Lakers clawed again from an 11-point deficit late within the third and held the Grizzlies (15-19) to simply 16 factors within the first 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. Ayton had two blocks within the fourth quarter.
“We’re profitable the proper manner,” Ayton mentioned. “Bigs can’t feed themselves and I simply attempt my greatest to do what I can to convey effort. And I belief my playmakers on the market to search out me.”
The Lakers had 30 assists on 38 made pictures, their highest proportion of assisted subject targets of the season.
