LaRavia’s Fast Start Propels Lakers; Hayes Closes Game as Rotation Shifts
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LOS ANGELES — Forward Jake LaRavia supplied an early scoring surge Friday night, helping the Lakers defeat the Memphis Grizzlies and spotlighting several lineup and injury developments as the club heads toward the season’s midpoint.
LaRavia delivers season-best effort
Moved into the starting lineup for the second straight game because of Rui Hachimura’s injury, LaRavia poured in 11 points in the opening quarter and 18 by halftime. He finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and a 3-for-6 mark from three-point range, his first 20-point outing since November 2.
“When I just talk about roles and the amount of hats that I can wear with this team, some nights this is what happens,” LaRavia said. “Other nights I’m that defender, connector, crasher. So just continuing to play confidently throughout but also understanding what my role is going to be each game.”
Signed in the offseason for his outside shooting and defensive versatility, LaRavia has been in and out of coach JJ Redick’s rotation while the Lakers manage several early-season injuries. Entering Friday, the 6-foot-8 forward was hitting an uncharacteristic 32 percent from deep. “I’m just working on my shot, starting with the basics again,” he added. “Hopefully I can find my rhythm again. Tonight was just the start.”
Hayes earns crunch-time minutes
Center Jaxson Hayes logged nearly the entire fourth quarter, playing ahead of starter Deandre Ayton after Redick opted to stay with the hot hand. Hayes totaled 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 23 minutes.
“His ability to control the paint for us has been huge,” guard Marcus Smart said. “Just his ability to go get the ball at the highest point when we throw it and then defensively to alter shots, whether he’s blocking them or just changing shots, allows our defense to pick it up from our guards even more.”
Rotation notes
Redick said second-year wing Dalton Knecht will receive consistent minutes over the next few weeks and will be evaluated on more than shooting percentage.
Guard Gabe Vincent, sidelined by lower-back soreness, will miss Sunday’s rematch with Memphis but could return during the upcoming trip to New Orleans and San Antonio, according to Redick.
Trade-deadline pressure grows
In a column for The Orange County Register, Mirjam Swanson argued that the Lakers’ current roster is not championship-caliber and urged general manager Rob Pelinka to make aggressive moves before the trade deadline to avoid squandering another year of Luka Dončić’s prime.
Source: Hoops Rumors
