Dec 13, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Xavier Henry (7) dribbles the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
According to Serena Winters, reporter for LakersNation.com, Xavier Henry will start at PG for the Lakers against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Coach says Xavier Henry will be playing point guard.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 19, 2013
Xavier had a few forgettable seasons after being selected 12th overall in 2010. He already has his career seaon-high in points scored with 240 and is shooting a career high 43.2%. Xavier has played well off the bench for the Lakers this season averaging 9.6 PPG and 2.6 RPG. At 6’6″, Henry can pretty much get to the rim at will against smaller point guards.
However, the offense runs noticeably choppier with him at the point. He turns the ball over more often than he records an assist. The Lakers signed Kendall Marshall yesterday, but I doubt he will see action before Jordan Farmar returns from injury. The Lakers will most likely lean on a combination of Henry, Jodie Meeks, and Nick Young as the primary ball handlers against the Timberwolves.