"The center finished with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and helped the Lakers hold the Grizzlies to just 36.2% shooting in the second half. "Bigs can't feed themselves," Ayton said after the game. "I just try my best to do what I can to bring effort, and I trust my playmakers out there to find me.""
""He was great throughout the game," Redick said of Ayton. "I think that was good for him to just touch the basketball and feel like he's part of the offense. It's a tale as old as time for a big guy. That's the reality of being a big: someone has to pass you the ball. You're not initiating the offense.""
Deandre Ayton responded to a previous fourth-quarter benching by receiving more early touches and delivering 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting, eight rebounds and three blocks. The Lakers called their first play for Ayton, which led to a turnaround hook and later a dunk after a pass from Luka Doncic. Ayton emphasized effort and trusting playmakers to find him. Coach JJ Redick noted that bigs need passes to be part of the offense and praised Ayton's involvement. LeBron James and Luka Doncic combined to score or assist on 100 of L.A.'s 120 points and linked up frequently in the fourth quarter.
Read at ESPN.com
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