LOS ANGELES — Well, the boys in purple and gold didn’t look like they had rust. And if they did, it was gone very quickly.
Once the Lakers broke away in the first quarter, they never really felt threatened. Anthony Davis sat out the fourth quarter as the Lakers had a relatively easy night as they waxed the Pistons, 125-111.
There really isn’t much to say here as the Lakers led for most of the game. But what I would like to show is a couple of highlights on how the Lakers looked like they were having the most fun game of the season.
Look at Austin Reaves with this little behind-the-back dropoff to that train, LeBron James.
LEBRON JAMES 🤯 pic.twitter.com/MSpBlCPv42
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 14, 2024
And Reaves did another fantastic pass to Anthony Davis.
Austin. How?! pic.twitter.com/Zv2V8lFLSt
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 14, 2024
The Pistons tried to go at Davis with a three-on-one fastbreak and it was annihilated.
Three-on-one? AD’s got it covered. pic.twitter.com/aQfUi994lu
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 14, 2024
The Lakers led the Pistons at halftime, 71-48. It was cruise control from there. The Pistons did cut the deficit to 12 a few times but they never got any closer than that.
Anthony Davis was just a wall defensively. He had 6 blocks and altered a lot more. As you saw in that highlight a bit above, Davis was a one-man swat team.
What we also have to talk about is Spencer Dinwiddie as he made his Laker debut. He played the classic playmaking point guard for most of the game. Of course, he could clean up the four turnovers but he did have 7 assists. He played quite a lot of time, too (31 minutes), as guys like Max Christie, Cam Reddish, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt are all out.
There’s no doubt that Detroit has some talent but they obviously need more time together. The Lakers just outclassed them. But if the Pistons stay together, they could be something down the line.
L.A. was led by the ageless LeBron James with 25 points and 8 boards. Davis ended with 20 points, 14 boards, and 6 blocks (as mentioned earlier). D’Angelo Russell scored 21 points while Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves each had 15. Dinwiddie scored 6 points in his first game as an L.A. Laker.
As for the Pistons, rookie Ausar Thompson scored 19. James Wiseman put in 16 off the bench. The previously hot Jaden Ivey ended with 15 while Cade Cunningham scored 12. Jalen Duren was limited to 8 points and 8 boards.
It’s a good thing Davis rested the fourth because they’re playing a game in Salt Lake City as they play the Jazz the next night. Back-to-back games can be brutal, after all. But at least, they’ll get an extended rest as the game in Utah will be their last game before the all-star break.
They certainly have earned that rest. Lakers have won 5 of their last 6!
