Reaves was the main force behind the Lakers’ victory over the Bucks in overtime.
The Los Angeles Lakers were significant underdogs going into their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. Superstar LeBron James was not present for the Lakers’ game as he was tending to an ankle ailment. Prior to the game, the Wisconsin squad had a 29-7 home record.
It appeared as though the Bucks would validate the oddsmakers. After Milwaukee jumped out to a commanding 19-point lead in the fourth quarter, they attempted to break the Lakers’ will. But in LeBron’s absence, Austin Reaves, a third-year guard, came through big for the Lakers. Reaves continued to make huge shots, and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins likened AR to a legendary player.
Reaves became Larry Bird.
Reaves stated following the game that the Lakers, lacking their best player, had two choices versus Milwaukee: give up and go on to their next game against the Memphis Grizzlies, or step up and take on the task. Reaves obviously went with the latter
.
Despite trailing by 19 points in the fourth quarter and never taking the lead during regulation, the Lakers rallied. In 52 minutes of play, Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 34 points and 23 rebounds. But as Big Perk put it, Reaves was the one who came through in the clutch, becoming Larry Legend.
Playing 47 minutes in the thrilling double-overtime match, he finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists for the second triple-double of his career. With 37.8 seconds remaining, AR made a three-pointer to break the tie and give the Lakers a 124-121 advantage.
Peaking at the ideal moment for Reaves
With the victory, the Lakers’ record improved to 40-32 for the year. Los Angeles is still in ninth place, 2.5 games ahead of the No. 10 Golden State Warriors but two games behind the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns. Still, they—especially AR—are peaking at the ideal moment.
Coming off the bench, the 25-year-old Reaves had a sluggish start to the season. However, in his 10 games this month, Reaves is averaging 18.0 points on 50.0 FG% and 46.0 3P%, up from just 10.0 points on 33.3 FG% and 25.0 3P% in October.
Los Angeles wants to return to the Conference Finals. However, they would require more than just LeBron and AD to carry the load if they were to return there. The Lakers might be a formidable postseason opponent if Reaves can reliably unleash his inner Larry Bird.
