Ayton Jump-Starts Lakers with Early Touches in 120-114 Victory over Grizzlies
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LOS ANGELES — Deandre Ayton responded to an expanded role Sunday night, posting 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks as the Los Angeles Lakers edged the Memphis Grizzlies 120-114 at Crypto.com Arena.
Head coach JJ Redick told reporters before tipoff that the game plan was to involve Ayton early after the center was limited to four points in Friday’s fourth-quarter benching. The first possession went straight to the 7-footer, who converted a spinning nine-foot hook, setting the tone for a 6-for-8 shooting performance.
“Bigs can’t feed themselves,” Ayton said. “I just try my best to bring effort, and I trust my playmakers to find me.”
Those playmakers were Luka Doncic and LeBron James, who, according to ESPN Insights, scored or assisted on 100 of Los Angeles’ 120 points. The duo traded 15 passes in the fourth quarter—matching their season high for any final period—and repeatedly looked inside to Ayton.
“I’m always looking for DA,” James said. “We made the adjustments after last game to get him the ball.”
Ayton’s two-shot outing Friday had been his fewest attempts this season outside of a Nov. 23 contest in Utah that he left early with an injury. Redick acknowledged Saturday that a center’s energy can dip when he feels uninvolved; on Sunday, Ayton’s offensive touches translated to defense, highlighted by two fourth-quarter blocks as the Lakers held Memphis to 36.2% shooting after halftime.
“They tried to get physical down the stretch,” Ayton said. “It felt like a playoff environment where everybody had to guard their yard.”
Source: ESPN
