Lakers ride Anthony Davis to win over Spurs: The good, bad and story

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 14: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 14: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The story from the Los Angeles Lakers’ win:

The Los Angeles Lakers were on fire from the 3 point line.

This is really where the game was won. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich never really was a fan of the 3 point shot and even though the team shoots more, it’s evident he’s not as bought in as the other teams around the NBA.

Luckily for Lakers fans, this team is and took full advantage of the shot all game long. Six Lakers knocked down at least one shot from beyond the arc.

  • Russell Westbrook (Yep…he was on!) knocked down three on his way to 15 points.
  • Anthony Davis knocked down two.
  • Malik Monk knocked down two on his way to 16 points.
  • Carmelo Anthony hit two on his way to 15 points.
  • Talen Horton-Tucker hit one
  • The aforementioned Wayne Ellington hit five.

This is a classic case of the Lakers running their offense through Anthony Davis and establishing the dominance in the paint and then working the offense to the perimeter instead of the other way around. After Davis dropped 27 in the first half, the Spurs really had no answers with these guys shooting lights out from the 3 point line.

There’s going to be a backup point guard controversy when LeBron James gets back.

The adjustments that the Lakers coaching staff made in this game was allowing Rondo more minutes to run the offense. He did an outstanding job of doing so. When he was in the game the ball got to the shooters and AD consistently as the 7 assists he collected illustrates.

Bottom line…when Rondo is in the game and he’s engaged, the offense runs a lot smoother with less mistakes.

Russ played a solid floor game with a stat line of 14 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, but those 7 turnovers which counts for half of the team’s turnovers (The next highest Laker had two!) has got to stop.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

The Los Angeles Lakers welcome back Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso tomorrow night when the Chicago Bulls come to town. (In a Duke Tango voice!) OH BABY!!!!!! OH BABY!!!!!