Lakers vs Pelicans: Three keys to victory for Los Angeles
By Keith Rivas
Bench play
What’s not to love about Jordan Clarkson excelling in a role off the bench?
Who would’ve thought that former Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams would be able to do double damage alongside one of the essential players in Los Angeles’ young core?
Their consistency away from their starting lineup is making doubters irrelevant. Head coach Luke Walton recently praised his bench players, not hesitating to put them among the best in the association.
He’s not wrong, either.
According to a report from SB Nation:
"“The team’s main reserve unit of Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams, Brandon Ingram, Tarik Black, and Larry Nance, Jr. has outscored teams by an average of 16.7 points per 100 possessions so far this season. That mark is far-and-away better than the 2.1 the starters have managed, and there’s more.”"
It goes on:
"The resulting net rating of 58.6 would obviously be by far the best mark in the NBA if extended over an entire season…”"
So yeah, the numbers speak for themselves.
When Los Angeles gets an excellent effort from their bench, they’re able to compete against anybody.
If the Pelicans fail to get any production outside of their key players, the Lakers are going to be right there to take the game away and not turn back.
It’s just what they do.