Los Angeles Lakers are excelling in these 3 areas so far this season

2. Points in the paint

Even though 3-point shooting has become rampant in the NBA over the years, with teams sometimes taking almost half of their shots from beyond the arc on some nights, games are still won in the paint.

This is true at both ends of the floor.

The Lakers are fifth in points in the paint at 52.6 per game. As mentioned earlier, an advantage isn’t an advantage unless you take advantage of it, but the Lakers are doing just that.

When they don’t have anything in transition their first option in the set offense is Anthony Davis in the mid-post area. So far, he’s living up to his billing, averaging 26.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. In his spare time, he’s also contributing 2.7 assists and 3.0 blocks a game.

Another player who has helped in this department is Dwight Howard. He’s no longer a featured option on offense like he’s been on almost every team he’s ever played on, but so far he’s averaging 7.9 points a game in just 21.7 minutes.

Of course, just about any shot Howard ever makes will be in the painted area.