This Lakers-Rockets contest was close in the fourth, but Luka DonÄiÄ applied pressure and Houston folded. He had dazzling alley-oop passes to Rui Hachimura and LeBron James and then put the game to rest with one of his signature 3-point shots.
Luka is already considered one of the best players in the world. However, if he keeps this up, heâll be in the MVP conversation, because itâs hard to argue that anyone is playing better than him.
So, letâs dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A âBâ grade represents the average performance for that player.
LeBron James
34 minutes, 30 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 13-14 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-3 FT, 0
LeBron was aggressive from the jump in this game. He attacked the rim and had multiple highlight-reel dunks in the first half.
James was a perfect 8-8 from the field after two quarters, and while he eventually missed a shot in the fourth, it was his elite play throughout the contest that helped the Lakers win.
Grade: A
Marcus Smart
34 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 2-7 FG, 1-5 3PT, +7
Smart made his typical impact on the defensive side of the ball. He wasnât much of an offensive factor, but he consistently made winning plays, which is why heâs solidified himself as the teamâs fifth starter.
Grade: B+
Deandre Ayton
34 minutes, 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 8-10 FG, +1
Let these two games put to rest the silly notion that Clint Capela is anywhere near Aytonâs talent level. Ayton shot 80% from the field, and while his production waned in the second half, it was enough to get LA the win.
Grade: B
Austin Reaves
39 minutes, 14 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 4-9 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-6 FT, +6
Reaves continues to struggle with his shooting, but he contributed by distributing the ball. His desire to be a positive force on the defensive end was also pretty evident. Hopefully, Reaves gets out of this shooting slump soon. The Lakers are better when Reaves is the teamâs second-best scorer.
Grade: C-
Luka DonÄiÄ
38 minutes, 40 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 12-25 FG, 7-17 3PT, 9-14 FT, +2
It wasnât just that Luka put this game on ice, it was the way he did it that made it a memory. He was Luka magic in the fourth, dazzling with his dribbling and putting the exclamation point on this statement win with a step-back three. Luka added some colorful words, letting everyone in Houston know he is that guy.
DonÄiÄ can clean up some of those turnovers and free throw misses, but all things considered, he was magnificent.
Grade: A+
Rui Hachimura
21 minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 foul, 3-4 FG, 2-2 3PT, +8
Hachimura had two big baskets in the fourth when the game was still hanging in the balance. His opportunities may have shrunk, but his impact remains huge.
Grade: C
Build Your Winning Bracket!
SB Nationâs CBB expert Mike Rutherford and resident bracketologist Chris Dobbertean will answer all your questions this week and help guide you to bracket glory!
Drop in SB Nationâs March Madness Feed all week long and weâll have both on hand! (All times PT)
Sun 4-7pm: Chris Dobbertean
Mon-Wed 7-10am: Mike Rutherford
Mon-Wed 2-5pm: Chris Dobbertean
Thursday 6-9am: Chris Dobbertean and Mike Rutherford
Luke Kennard
18 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, +7
Kennard remains one of the players Lakers head coach JJ Redick trusts, and for good reason. He can knock down shots, set a strong screen and run the offense well.
He needs to score a bit more during his time for it to increase, but he was solid in this contest.
Grade: C-
Jaxson Hayes
14 minutes, 1 point, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, 1-4 FT, +6
Hayes didnât give the Lakers much in this game. He was essentially just playing to give Ayton some rest. Hopefully, these games arenât a precursor to the kind of performances he will give this spring.
Grade: D
Jake LaRavia
10 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 2-4 FG, 1-1 3PT, +3
LaRaviaâs minutes have begun to dwindle here in March. His offense isnât consistent enough, and while his defense is solid, thatâs not going to be enough to keep him on the floor. Still, in the fourth, Redick went to him and he had a pretty good shift. If he plays more like that early during games, heâll get some more run.
Grade: C+
JJ Redick
Redick pushed the right buttons in this game. He went to LaRavia late, and it paid off. His rotations have tightened, and the players have responded well. For the Lakers to beat the Rockets on the road in back-to-back games wasnât easy, but Redick got it done and deserves credit for that.
Grade: A+
Wednesdayâs DNPs: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, Kobe Bufkin, Bronny James
Wednesdayâs inactives: Maxi Kleber, Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr., Chris Mañon
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
Luka is already considered one of the best players in the world. However, if he keeps this up, heâll be in the MVP conversation, because itâs hard to argue that anyone is playing better than him.
So, letâs dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A âBâ grade represents the average performance for that player.
LeBron James
34 minutes, 30 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 13-14 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-3 FT, 0
LeBron was aggressive from the jump in this game. He attacked the rim and had multiple highlight-reel dunks in the first half.
James was a perfect 8-8 from the field after two quarters, and while he eventually missed a shot in the fourth, it was his elite play throughout the contest that helped the Lakers win.
Grade: A
Marcus Smart
34 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 2-7 FG, 1-5 3PT, +7
Smart made his typical impact on the defensive side of the ball. He wasnât much of an offensive factor, but he consistently made winning plays, which is why heâs solidified himself as the teamâs fifth starter.
Grade: B+
Deandre Ayton
34 minutes, 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 8-10 FG, +1
Let these two games put to rest the silly notion that Clint Capela is anywhere near Aytonâs talent level. Ayton shot 80% from the field, and while his production waned in the second half, it was enough to get LA the win.
Grade: B
Austin Reaves
39 minutes, 14 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 4-9 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-6 FT, +6
Reaves continues to struggle with his shooting, but he contributed by distributing the ball. His desire to be a positive force on the defensive end was also pretty evident. Hopefully, Reaves gets out of this shooting slump soon. The Lakers are better when Reaves is the teamâs second-best scorer.
Grade: C-
Luka DonÄiÄ
38 minutes, 40 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 12-25 FG, 7-17 3PT, 9-14 FT, +2
It wasnât just that Luka put this game on ice, it was the way he did it that made it a memory. He was Luka magic in the fourth, dazzling with his dribbling and putting the exclamation point on this statement win with a step-back three. Luka added some colorful words, letting everyone in Houston know he is that guy.
DonÄiÄ can clean up some of those turnovers and free throw misses, but all things considered, he was magnificent.
Grade: A+
Rui Hachimura
21 minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 foul, 3-4 FG, 2-2 3PT, +8
Hachimura had two big baskets in the fourth when the game was still hanging in the balance. His opportunities may have shrunk, but his impact remains huge.
Grade: C
Build Your Winning Bracket!
SB Nationâs CBB expert Mike Rutherford and resident bracketologist Chris Dobbertean will answer all your questions this week and help guide you to bracket glory!
Drop in SB Nationâs March Madness Feed all week long and weâll have both on hand! (All times PT)
Sun 4-7pm: Chris Dobbertean
Mon-Wed 7-10am: Mike Rutherford
Mon-Wed 2-5pm: Chris Dobbertean
Thursday 6-9am: Chris Dobbertean and Mike Rutherford
Luke Kennard
18 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, +7
Kennard remains one of the players Lakers head coach JJ Redick trusts, and for good reason. He can knock down shots, set a strong screen and run the offense well.
He needs to score a bit more during his time for it to increase, but he was solid in this contest.
Grade: C-
Jaxson Hayes
14 minutes, 1 point, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, 1-4 FT, +6
Hayes didnât give the Lakers much in this game. He was essentially just playing to give Ayton some rest. Hopefully, these games arenât a precursor to the kind of performances he will give this spring.
Grade: D
Jake LaRavia
10 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 2-4 FG, 1-1 3PT, +3
LaRaviaâs minutes have begun to dwindle here in March. His offense isnât consistent enough, and while his defense is solid, thatâs not going to be enough to keep him on the floor. Still, in the fourth, Redick went to him and he had a pretty good shift. If he plays more like that early during games, heâll get some more run.
Grade: C+
JJ Redick
Redick pushed the right buttons in this game. He went to LaRavia late, and it paid off. His rotations have tightened, and the players have responded well. For the Lakers to beat the Rockets on the road in back-to-back games wasnât easy, but Redick got it done and deserves credit for that.
Grade: A+
Wednesdayâs DNPs: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, Kobe Bufkin, Bronny James
Wednesdayâs inactives: Maxi Kleber, Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr., Chris Mañon
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
