The Los Angeles Lakers continue to battle their way out of the play-in tournament with their 121-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The purple and gold were hot from behind the arc, going 18-36 in three-pointers. Guards D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley spearheaded the offensive effort.
“The more pressure we can take off [LeBron James] and [Anthony Davis] to have to go out and save the day, to make every play, the better,” said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. “When they can just play manageable minutes and those other guys step up and come out and play well, it just makes us that much more dangerous and it also saves some gas for our two big dogs.”
The Lakers defeat the Phoenix Suns 121-107. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham talks about the importance of different Lakers players stepping up to make plays pic.twitter.com/mN0QyBhID8
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) April 8, 2023
The game consisted of 10 lead changes and 12 ties. Lakers center Anthony Davis grabbed 21 rebounds and six Lakers players scored in the double digits. Russell led all scorers with 24 points while guard Austin Reaves contributed 22 points and Beasley poured in 21 points.
The Lakers push to win the rest of their games is in tune with Ham’s goals as a coach.
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“I’ve had a taste that the most positive drug you can use and that’s winning and I done it twice and I want more,” Ham said. “The more we rely on each other as a group and rely on the talent that we have on this roster and play together and make the simple pass, simple play … we’ll be okay.”
Guard D’Angelo Russell led the offensive effort in the early minutes. The Suns struggled from the three-point line throughout the first quarter. Shots from forward Torrey Craig kept the Suns competitive, allowing them to have a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Beasley scored 11 points in the second quarter alone, he would ultimately score 21 points in the matchup. He helped counter a seven-point run that Phoenix went on, helping close the Lakers deficit to one by halftime.
Beasley noted how his offense helped both sides of the ball during the matchup.
“[Phoenix] got a lot of great guys who can shoot the ball,” Beasley said. “On the defensive end, I stay attached to them and got out on transition a few times and that helped a lot.”
The game remained close until the Lakers went on an 11-4 run late in the third quarter. The Lakers went into the fourth quarter with a 96-89 advantage.
At the end of the third quarter, the Lakers shot at 53.8% in three pointers. Malik Beasley spearheading the effort with 4 threes
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) April 8, 2023
Despite the Suns going on a seven-point run to tie the game, the Lakers remained in control. Lakers forward LeBron James noted how the squad kept their composure and made shots down the line.
“When you have [Beasley] shooting the way he was tonight, you got [Russell] shooting the ball in a high way, you got [Austin Reaves] who’s been playing exceptional all season, it just keeps the defense always at bay.”
The Lakers’ final game of the season is on Easter Sunday against the Utah Jazz at 12:30P.M.
