Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Hosts Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, who have covered the Purple and Gold since 2005 for media outlets including the LA Times, ESPN and The Athletic, offer traditional journalism, informal commentary, and offbeat humor to provide expert, local analysis. Locked On Lakers takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the Lakers locker room and all over the NBA. The Locked On Lakers podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
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Austin Reaves Moves Into the Starting Lineup, Helps the Lakers Beat Phoenix 122-111
For Wednesday's show, we asked whether Darvin Ham needed to make a move to take a slumping Malik Beasley out of the starting lineup.
Apparently, he listens.
Wednesday vs. the Suns, Ham lifted Beasley and replaced him with a red-hot Austin Reaves, and the results were outstanding. The Lakers won 122-111 (in a game where they generally exerted control) and on a personal level Reaves was fantastic. 25 points on only 10 field goal attempts, bolstered by 13 trips to the line, 11 assists and a steal, while only turning the ball over once. He played nearly 39 minutes, and was a +18. So yeah, it worked pretty well! D'Angelo Russell had a very efficient 26 points, making half of his six threes. And then Anthony Davis came alive in the second half to finish with 27/9/5.
With the win, the Lakers regain a place in the Western Conference's top 10, though a very precarious one, no question. They're in a group of seven teams with either 36 or 37 losses. With only nine games remaining on the schedule, each one is going to be massively important, starting with Friday's against a hot Oklahoma City team that has won eight of ten heading into their game Thursday against the Clippers.
So does Darvin keep rolling with Reaves the starter? Do defenses start to adjust to his style, getting more aware of his ability to draw fouls and get to the line? And what is keeping Davis from doing what he did in the third and fourth quarters on Wednesday earlier in games? Is it Davis? Is it scheme? Is it teammates missing opportunities to get him the ball when they should?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get a huge win as Darvin Ham makes a change in the starting lineup.
SEGMENT 2: Reaves shines. Could teams start to adjust to him?
SEGMENT 3: What triggered Davis's big second half?
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