Game Debrief: What Went Right And What Went Wrong?

Lakers go into MIN suiting up only 9 guys. Luka, Bron, Smart, and Gabe all out. Lakers fall behind by 12, maybe more. Even with Antman out, who expected us to win this one anyway? Our healthy players were playing all-out, hustling, but it wasn't enough. Until it was, then wasn't, then Austin hits a floater at the buzzer to win by 1, 116-115. We had taken a 10 point lead, then MIN gradually ate into the lead until Julius hit a 9-footer with 10 secs left and we lost our lead. Felt inevitable: we'd played our hearts out, massively shorthanded, only lose. But we had the ball out of bounds with 6 secs left.

It goes into AR, he splits the D, nails the floater: superstar. I almost dislocated my shoulder with the involuntary "YES!" and both arms up when that thing went in.

Jake: 10 for 11 from the field, 5 of 6 from long: 27 points. Reminded me of that game early last season when DK went for 37 or whatever, hittin' 3s like he was out of his mind. Jake hit a couple 3s down near the MIN bench and Ant was talkin' trash to him, then Jake hit another 3 right in front of Ant. Not sure if that shut Ant up or not.

AR: 28/1/16 with 2 steals, 9 of 24 from the field. He was 8 of 23 and said eff it, gimme the ball to take the last shot. Man alive...

Ayton 8 for 11; Rui 7 of 14; DK 7 of 12. I thought Jaxson made a diff coming back, played a solid game, with one really key blocked shot. MIN shot 50% for the game, which would almost always mean you won it; but we shot 54%, and that added to a scintillating game. It was painful to watch us cough up that lead late, a major case of euphoria seeing Hillbilly Kobe hit the game-winner.

Another surprising win. AR is now averaging 35/6/8 for the season.

On to MEM for Halloween, then home.

 

The other way is not as obvious, but it's got a nice ring to it: Steve Reaves.