The LA Lakers endured a 113-116 loss in Recreation 4 of their first spherical playoff matchup in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Regardless of having nearly a ten level lead getting into the fourth quarter, the LA Lakers didn’t make their clutch pictures and this resulted within the Minnesota Timberwolves taking a 3-1 lead within the collection.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic as soon as once more had huge video games because the duo mixed to attain 65 factors for the Purple and Gold.
Nonetheless, their efforts have been undone by a fiery Anthony Edwards, who was unbelievable down the stretch and led Timberwolves to a win at residence.
Austin Reaves went scoreless within the first half, however stepped up with 17 factors to complete the sport.
He additionally had the possibility to tie the sport on the ultimate possession, however missed the shot, which meant the Lakers would lose out Recreation 4.
This was one other indication of how poor Reaves has been within the playoffs as his contributions have confirmed up within the stat sheet, however he has simply didn’t make any influence on the staff as a complete.
Austin Reaves got here into the postseason, capturing 37.7% from three-point vary, which is the second greatest for him in his profession.
Nonetheless, he has shot solely 32% from past the arc within the playoffs and can also be taking eight three-point makes an attempt per sport.
Whereas capturing droop is one thing pure, Reaves has additionally turned the ball over an terrible lot within the playoffs, averaging 2.3 turnovers within the 4 video games to date.
JJ Redick has been very important of the Lakers conceding a variety of turnovers and this drawback additionally appears to remain as that they had ten in Recreation 4.
With Reaves going scoreless within the first half, your complete Lakers offense got here from the celebrity duo of Doncic and James, who scored 43 of the staff’s first 58 factors.
The bench had no influence on the sport in any way as they scored solely six factors.
With others contributing so little, the Lakers will discover it robust to win, which is why they want Reaves to step up and assist out their star duo.
Apart from not being nice on the offensive finish of the ground, Reaves has additionally been poor defensively and that was as soon as once more on show in Recreation 4.
Timberwolves’ huge Naz Reid completely bullied Reaves on one play and made a basket on one possession in fourth quarter.
It was a matchup horror, however that could be a state of affairs the Lakers should discover a solution to face as they don’t have a viable choice within the centre place to exchange Jaxson Hayes and Redick even spoke about after their loss in Recreation 3.
Virtually each guard on the Timberwolves was capable of simply rating on the Lakers and a few fault right here belongs to Reaves.
Earlier the Lakers guard was used to placing up elite performances on each ends of the ground and his brilliance even propelled the Lakers to the Convention Finals.
He had a profession yr within the common season and was anticipated to step up and be the third man on the Lakers.
Nonetheless, he has slowed down and that’s what appears to be affecting them probably the most.
They anticipated to have a participant in him, who could make performs on his personal, but additionally knock down pictures when wanted within the playoffs.
With the collection at 3-1, the Lakers nonetheless have time and Reaves might additionally show himself by stepping up within the the rest of the video games.
They’ve the gamers of their staff that might flip issues round, but when that has to occur, even the others have to step up, particularly Reaves who has been one of many staff’s greatest participant.
