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The Los Angeles Lakers faced a second straight big game with heavy playoff implications on Monday when they hosted the Houston Rockets. They came into this game in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 45-29 record, while the Rockets were 3.5 games ahead of them in second place at 49-26.
The Rockets are one of the NBA's best teams defensively and on the boards, and true to form, this game was an ugly slugfest. Both teams had trouble making shots throughout the night at an acceptable rate, which meant that this game was decided on effort, grit and resourcefulness.
After the first half ended in a 48-all tie, the Lakers finally got their offense unlocked a bit and outscored Houston 34-29 in the third quarter. They took an 82-77 lead into the fourth quarter, where they once again went cold. But they were able to get just enough key stops to escape with a 104-98 win.
L.A.'s main stars didn't play well, but its bench, which generally lacks offensive firepower, came through in this contest. The team's reserves outscored the Rockets' bench 46-32, which was a major factor in its win. As a result, it now has a two-game lead over the fifth-place Memphis Grizzlies and trails the Rockets by 2.5 games in the standings.
These two teams will play again just days from now. With a tough schedule coming up for both of them, there is always a chance that the next meeting could give the Lakers an opportunity to move up into second or third place.
Hachimura shot just 3-of-10 from the field and scored seven points, and he only contributed two rebounds in 31 minutes. He did, however, notch two steals to help the Lakers' cause, and he got loose under the basket for a dunk with 2:06 left in the fourth quarter to put them ahead by five.
Hayes had minimal impact in this game. In 14 minutes, he had three points, three rebounds and one assist, as the Lakers went small quite often. However, he did deliver a monstrous dunk in the face of Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun early in the third quarter.
Reaves shot a decent 5-of-11 from the field, but he didn't assert himself as much as he usually does, and he finished with a very modest 12 points. He did chip in eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Doncic could never really get his shot to fall in this game. He made just six of his 16 overall attempts and missed all but one of his seven 3-point attempts, which held him to 20 points. But as usual, he set up teammates by manipulating the defense, which earned him nine assists, and he got to the free throw line, where he converted seven of nine attempts.
In his spare time, he chipped in six rebounds and two steals.
James, like L.A.'s other starters, was quiet with 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and he had just four assists. But he had five of his eight rebounds in the second half, and in the closing seconds, he came through in the clutch.
With 13 seconds left, the Lakers had trouble inbounding the basketball while clinging to a 100-98 lead, but they eventually got the ball to James, who was immediately fouled. He made the two resulting free throws, and on the next possession, Sengun attempted a finger roll near the hoop, but James spiked down his shot for a key block that killed a few seconds off the block.
That block was one of two on the night for James.
Fnney-Smith was one of two reserves who saved the day for L.A. He had his shot going all night, and he finished 6-of-11 from 3-point range, giving him 20 points in 32 minutes. But that wasn't the only way he contributed to this victory.
He also played energetic, disruptive defense, and he ended up with six rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. He continues to be an invaluable member of the Lakers whose value and contributions go well beyond his numbers.
When Vincent is shooting well from downtown, he goes from a marginal role player to an impactful one. On Monday, he was one of the Lakers' best players.
He made six of his 13 3-point attempts and scored 20 points, and he also contributed four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 24 minutes. He has come a long way since missing almost all of last season with a knee ailment and being accused of being a wasteful acquisition by the organization.
Vanderbilt had a little trouble converting chippies near the rim, but in just 10 minutes, he came up with six rebounds. Overall, the Lakers were outrebounded by six, but in the fourth quarter, they hung tough on the boards. During that period, Vanderbilt alone had four rebounds.
In 12 minutes, Goodwin grabbed two rebounds, made two of his five shot attempts, scored four points and added one assist.
Knecht played just four minutes and made no statistical contribution.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers player grades: L.A. survives a slugfest for another win
Continue reading...
The Rockets are one of the NBA's best teams defensively and on the boards, and true to form, this game was an ugly slugfest. Both teams had trouble making shots throughout the night at an acceptable rate, which meant that this game was decided on effort, grit and resourcefulness.
After the first half ended in a 48-all tie, the Lakers finally got their offense unlocked a bit and outscored Houston 34-29 in the third quarter. They took an 82-77 lead into the fourth quarter, where they once again went cold. But they were able to get just enough key stops to escape with a 104-98 win.
L.A.'s main stars didn't play well, but its bench, which generally lacks offensive firepower, came through in this contest. The team's reserves outscored the Rockets' bench 46-32, which was a major factor in its win. As a result, it now has a two-game lead over the fifth-place Memphis Grizzlies and trails the Rockets by 2.5 games in the standings.
These two teams will play again just days from now. With a tough schedule coming up for both of them, there is always a chance that the next meeting could give the Lakers an opportunity to move up into second or third place.
Rui Hachimura: D-plus/C-minus
Hachimura shot just 3-of-10 from the field and scored seven points, and he only contributed two rebounds in 31 minutes. He did, however, notch two steals to help the Lakers' cause, and he got loose under the basket for a dunk with 2:06 left in the fourth quarter to put them ahead by five.
Jaxson Hayes: D
Hayes had minimal impact in this game. In 14 minutes, he had three points, three rebounds and one assist, as the Lakers went small quite often. However, he did deliver a monstrous dunk in the face of Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun early in the third quarter.
Austin Reaves: C
Reaves shot a decent 5-of-11 from the field, but he didn't assert himself as much as he usually does, and he finished with a very modest 12 points. He did chip in eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Luka Doncic: C-plus
Doncic could never really get his shot to fall in this game. He made just six of his 16 overall attempts and missed all but one of his seven 3-point attempts, which held him to 20 points. But as usual, he set up teammates by manipulating the defense, which earned him nine assists, and he got to the free throw line, where he converted seven of nine attempts.
In his spare time, he chipped in six rebounds and two steals.
LeBron James: C-plus
James, like L.A.'s other starters, was quiet with 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and he had just four assists. But he had five of his eight rebounds in the second half, and in the closing seconds, he came through in the clutch.
With 13 seconds left, the Lakers had trouble inbounding the basketball while clinging to a 100-98 lead, but they eventually got the ball to James, who was immediately fouled. He made the two resulting free throws, and on the next possession, Sengun attempted a finger roll near the hoop, but James spiked down his shot for a key block that killed a few seconds off the block.
That block was one of two on the night for James.
Dorian Finney-Smith: A
Fnney-Smith was one of two reserves who saved the day for L.A. He had his shot going all night, and he finished 6-of-11 from 3-point range, giving him 20 points in 32 minutes. But that wasn't the only way he contributed to this victory.
He also played energetic, disruptive defense, and he ended up with six rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. He continues to be an invaluable member of the Lakers whose value and contributions go well beyond his numbers.
Gabe Vincent: A
When Vincent is shooting well from downtown, he goes from a marginal role player to an impactful one. On Monday, he was one of the Lakers' best players.
He made six of his 13 3-point attempts and scored 20 points, and he also contributed four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 24 minutes. He has come a long way since missing almost all of last season with a knee ailment and being accused of being a wasteful acquisition by the organization.
Jarred Vanderbilt: B-minus/B
Vanderbilt had a little trouble converting chippies near the rim, but in just 10 minutes, he came up with six rebounds. Overall, the Lakers were outrebounded by six, but in the fourth quarter, they hung tough on the boards. During that period, Vanderbilt alone had four rebounds.
Jordan Goodwin: C
In 12 minutes, Goodwin grabbed two rebounds, made two of his five shot attempts, scored four points and added one assist.
Dalton Knecht: Incomplete
Knecht played just four minutes and made no statistical contribution.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers player grades: L.A. survives a slugfest for another win
Continue reading...
