Google News Lakers Have 'All the Right Pieces' for a Successful Run, Says Anthony Davis
by FARUK IMAMOVIC | VIEW 333
The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their 38th victory of the season on Wednesday. "I think we've got everything we need. It's just about going out and applying it," stated Anthony Davis after contributing 38 points and 10 rebounds in L.A.'
s 121-110 triumph over the Chicago Bulls. "We can definitely make a run. We've got all the right pieces from top to bottom." The Lakers' first unit featured Davis, LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Jarred Vanderbilt, who outscored the Bulls' starters 107-72.
"I think the No. 1 thing is we have multiple ball handlers," James observed, referring to the starting group. "So no one has to feel stressed handling the ball every possession. We got shot makers in that starting lineup. And we have a lot of length." The victory elevated the Lakers to a .500 record (38-38) and positioned them as the No.
8 seed in the Western Conference standings.
Lakers Face Timberwolves in Pivotal Road Trip Matchup
The Lakers are scheduled to face the No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, as they continue their four-game road trip. The Wolves, holding a 39-38 record, maintain a half-game lead over L.A.
"We understood the assignment," James remarked on the win, which compensated for their recent loss to Chicago in L.A. "Every road trip is huge, but because of our season and the way things have gone, this is the biggest road trip for us in this moment." L.A.'
s starters delivered an impressive shooting performance, going 40-for-64 (62.5%), with James appearing to be in peak form in only his second game back after a four-week hiatus due to a torn tendon in his right foot. "It's kind of hard to just jump back in and hit the ground running," Reaves admitted about James. "But props to him, he came out and gave us a lot of energy from the get-go.
... It's always good to have a player that good."
Davis Leads Lakers' Charge as Postseason Approaches
With only six games remaining in the regular season, the Lakers, buoyed by four wins in their last five outings, are emerging as a formidable force.
Davis is spearheading this charge. "It all starts with A, man," Lakers coach Darvin Ham proclaimed. "Him just playing with force, him not settling, putting pressure on the defense to foul, him just loving and living in the paint." Davis shot 13-for-20 from the field and 11-for-14 from the foul line, recording his 16th game this season with 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds.
"He always plays like that," James said of Davis. "Just got to kick him in the ass every now and then. But he always plays like that, so I never worry about him." Davis set the tone at shootaround Wednesday morning, declaring unequivocally what his team needed to accomplish on the road trip.
"We owe this [Chicago] team," Davis asserted. "We owe Houston. We owe Minnesota. All these teams.
