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Lakers: 2 closing lineups when LeBron James and Anthony Davis return

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Kyle Kuzma #0,Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Kyle Kuzma #0,Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Route 1: Los Angeles Lakers go big

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are going to be in the closing lineup no matter what, that is a given. And I might be showing my hand here a bit, but two other players deserve to be in the closing lineup no matter what as well. The difference between the two options is one player.

The ‘go big’ route includes keeping Andre Drummond on the floor in the closing moments. This is the route that the Los Angeles Lakers will take against teams with size. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz and Phoenix would see a closing lineup with Drummond.

However, teams that may go small, such as the Los Angeles Clippers if they take out Ivica Zubac, will not see Drummond in the closing lineup.

So we have a frontcourt of LeBron, Davis and Drummond. In the backcourt is the duo of Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Schroder is not shooting the ball as well as hoped but he still is an offensive threat and love it or hate it, KCP is the Lakers’ best shooter.

Why Schroder and KCP? The four-man lineup of Schroder, KCP, LeBron and AD has played the second-most minutes together this season and has the second-best point differential. The three-man lineup of Schroder, LeBron and Davis has the best point differential while second place is KCP, LeBron and Davis.

Those are the two players that should be in the closing lineup alongside LeBron and AD, leaving Drummond to be switched out.

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