Reddick's plan to give Davis an increased role has led to 2-0 start for Lakers

LOS ANGELES -- When JJ Redick was hired arsenic nan Los Angeles Lakers coach, he said 1 of his early goals was to make Anthony Davis nan violative hub.

Two games into Redick's tenure, things are going according to plan.

With 35 points Friday nighttime successful a 123-116 triumph complete nan Phoenix Suns, Davis joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor arsenic nan only Lakers to people astatine slightest 35 points successful nan first 2 games of a season.

“Guys are making big-time shots. We’re making nan correct plays,” said Davis, who besides had 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots. “Honestly, nan schematic that JJ put successful has helped maine retired and is helping everyone out. We conscionable person truthful overmuch abstraction and we’re having nosy doing it.”

There was only 1 agelong past play wherever Davis had back-to-back, 35-point games. He had 36 points and 16 rebounds successful nan Lakers' 110-103 triumph complete nan Minnesota Timberwolves connected Tuesday night.

The crippled Friday had much drama.

The Lakers fell down by 22 points successful nan 2nd 4th arsenic Phoenix deed 21 of its first 30 shots. Los Angeles though made adjustments connected defense and closed nan shortage to 61-52 astatine halftime earlier rallying successful nan 2nd half to get its first 2-0 commencement successful 14 years.

Reddick said 1 of nan reasons why nan Lakers were capable to rally was Davis' patience contempt nan early deficit.

“There’s a comfortableness level and a assurance level that he has that if nan crippled starts getting wacky, he knows nan shot is going to travel backmost to him,” Reddick said.

In a crippled that besides provided an early trial for first-time coach Reddick and his staff, Davis was impressed pinch really Reddick handled nan early adversity.

“Down 22, that's erstwhile nan spot and coaching has to footwear in," Davis said. "JJ coming into nan huddle and telling america to settee down because we cognize what we're doing incorrect connected turnovers and transition. Him not panicking, obviously, makes america not panic. We're trusting what he's doing and nan schemes he's putting successful connected some ends of nan floor.”

Reddick is nan Lakers' first coach since Phil Jackson successful 1999 to triumph his first 2 games.

Davis' accrued domiciled has helped easiness immoderate unit disconnected LeBron James while besides allowing Austin Reaves' crippled to proceed to grow.

James started 2 of 6 from nan field, but had 11 points successful nan 3rd 4th and vanished pinch 21.

“It’s our occupation to spell and execute. We person to gain their trust. We person to execute and proceed to get much and much focused," James said. “It’s very important that he (Davis) has been a focal constituent for us. Offensively we person to find him successful aggregate places connected nan level passim nan full game. And we’ve done that successful 2 games.”

Reaves, who sewage a 6 a.m. matter from Reddick saying he could person a large game, had 26 points, including 5 3-pointers.

“He knows nan hit of nan crippled arsenic a players coach,” Reaves said astir Reddick. “I judge nan unit has a very IQ and sees nan crippled pinch a player’s mindset.”

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba