After four days of no games, the Lakers returned for Friday night lights against the Detroit Pistons, but the break did not slow down Anthony Davis who returned in the same fashion he did Sunday’s win, driving his team to a 128-121 win.
Before tonight’s contest, Head Coach Darvin Ham mentioned a story in his pregame press conference; he talked about how before the season began, Anthony Davis came into his office, grabbed a marker and wrote “2022-23, throw the ball to AD.”
Fitting, as this was a big tactic in the Purple and Gold’s game plan tonight.
“I’m trying to dominate the paint, control the inside, you know guys are finding me, getting it to our spots, [I’m] trying to control the offensive rebound and get us another possession, playing with a lot of pace, a lot of energy on both ends of the floor, and trying to do everything I can to help our team win,” Davis said of his mindset in his walk-off interview.
With the absence of LeBron James who continues to be sidelined by an adductor strain, much of the game circulated through Davis. And after putting up 37 points and 18 rebounds in their win over the Brooklyn Nets, AD was at it again grabbing 38 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks over the course of his 34 minutes. Davis went 10-for-16 from the field, predominately from the paint, and 18-for-21 from the line.
“Get him the ball. He rebounds everything on the other end,” Austin Reaves commented after the game on how the team utilizes the big fella.
Coach Ham added praise for AD, “Just his presence man, he’s been a big force for us all year.”
At times, Los Angeles and Detroit played tug of war for this win. “Self-inflicted mistakes,” as Coach Ham has deemed them, gave the Pistons some leverage, mistakes including careless turnovers, fouling shooters, and a lack of concern to combat Detroit’s fast break. But then someone from the squad would grab a tighter hold of that rope and pull with everything they had—inspiring their teammates to do the same.
Austin Reaves was one of these guys mentioned above. AR15 played with such steady focus for 36 minutes (the most of his team), at half he was +14 with just five points. To finish the game, Reaves stayed at +14, a team best, in addition to 16 points, six assists, four rebounds, and a block.
AD also made mention of teammates Wenyan Gabriel and Thomas Bryant.
“Thomas and Wenyan changed the momentum of the game and got us back in it on both ends of the floor,” Davis said.
Tonight, was Thomas’ season debut as he’s been out with a left thumb strain that required surgery. With eight points, five rebounds, and a blocked shot, TB went +8—not bad for a big man getting his legs back.
And Wenyan posted a season-high 15 points plus seven rebounds.
Off the bench, Russell Westbrook led his team in assists with 12 accompanied by 10 points and 12 rebounds. And Lonnie Walker IV contributed 17 points in his 34 minutes.
The Lakers are approaching the part of their schedule where they’re slated to play 24 games in 46 days and 16 of those are on the road.
They’re back here at home on Sunday to face the San Antonio Spurs and secure a third-straight win.