Game Grades: Lakers Collapse To Wizards, Lose 9th Straight Game
By Jacob Rude
98. 142. 92. 20. Final
MVP: While his fellow backcourt mate Jordan Clarkson challenged him for the honors, Wayne Ellington‘s career night makes him worthy of MVP of the night. His 28 points were a new career high and he was absolutely on fire in the first half. Even with the slow second half, the Lakers backcourt outscored John Wall and Bradley Beal.
LVP: Ryan Kelly, who, quite frustratingly, has been forced into the small forward role. During the game, Lakers reporter Mike Trudell said the coaches wanted to see how Kelly could do at the three. In short, it’s been bad. The quicker they move him back to the power forward or center spot, the better.
Stat of the Night: 52-35. The second half score-line, where the Lakers completely collapsed. They reverted to a team without Kobe Bryant and Nick Young instead of the team full of confidence in the first half.
The Starters
<strong>36 min, 12-20 FG, 3-9 3P, 1-1 FT, 28 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p>We either need to trade Ellington now or sign him to a max deal. No in-between.</p>. SG. Los Angeles Lakers. WAYNE ELLINGTON. A+
B. <strong> 29 min, 4-13 FG, 0-1 3P, 0-0 FT, 8 PTS, 11 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO<br /></strong><p>Another slightly above average game from <strong><a href=. C. Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN HILL
A. <strong>37 min, 8-18 FG, 1-5 3P, 1-1 FT, 18 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>You could not have asked for a better rebound game from Clarkson tonight after his awful performance against the Rockets.</p>. PG. Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN CLARKSON
D-. <strong>20 min, 0-3 FG, 0-1 3P, 1-2 FT, 1 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>I fear for the next 15 or so games with Kelly at the small forward position.</p>. PF. Los Angeles Lakers. RYAN KELLY
<strong>29 min, 3-9 FG, 0-0 FT, 6 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>One of <strong><a href=. C. Los Angeles Lakers. ROBERT SACRE. B-
The Bench
C. <strong> 28 min, 1-7 FG, 0-2 3P, 4-6 FT, 6 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p><strong><a href=. SF. Los Angeles Lakers. WESLEY JOHNSON
ED DAVIS. B+. <strong>19 min, 6-7 FG, 2-2 FT, 14 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>Once Hill is traded, <strong><a href=. PF. Los Angeles Lakers
C. <strong>19 min, 2-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>Like Johnson, <strong><a href=. C. Los Angeles Lakers. CARLOS BOOZER
B+. <strong>23 min, 1-5 FG, 1-2 3P, 4-4 FT, 7 PTS, 0 REB, 8 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO</strong><p><strong><a href=. PG. Los Angeles Lakers. JEREMY LIN