Lakers 121-111 Hornets 3 happy and 1 worried! Rivers Smart is too important, Ayton failed to use it!

The Lakers defeated the Hornets 121-111 in an away game. The Lakers played fairly normally in this game. They started slowly in the first quarter, gradually took advantage in the second quarter, and finally won the game. After the game, the Lakers had three joys and one sorrow.

Rivers is too important to the team's system now. He made 7 of 17 shots and scored 24 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals. It is true that his shooting percentage is not very good, but he can give the team one more stalemate point. Whether it is paired with Doncic in the starting lineup, it can reduce the number of double-teams by Doncic. And leading the bench, Rivers can also help the team stabilize the situation. Such players have become the absolute core. This is the current degree of Rivers' transformation.

Hachimura has become extremely stable, averaging 16.3 points per game, shooting 58.6% from the field, and 52.4% from the three-point range, which are all career highs. And every time he appears on the court, he will give stable output. This performance is so important to the team. After all, there will be a role player to ensure scoring efficiency, and the pressure on the main players will be much less, which is a happy place.

Smart's importance is beyond doubt. Especially when it comes to perimeter defense, I almost rely on him. Because the defense of other players in the starting lineup is not very strong, he needs to complete individual defense and also needs to assist in defense. The suppression provided is very strong, with 7 steals in the game today. In addition to defense, Smart's connection is also very good, which makes him more aggressive on offense and defense. He is too important to the Lakers system.

However, Ayton was very injured in this game because he received too many alley-oops, but he did not like to jump, which ultimately resulted in his very low ball ownership in this game. He is now only suitable for the pick-and-roll. Therefore, there were few tactics today, and the tactics were not suitable for him, which resulted in him not being very active in defense and rebounding. Especially the cooperation with Doncic, this may be something the team needs to focus on strengthening in private, otherwise it will be difficult for him to play his own value during the time he and Doncic play together.