Lakers’ Jake LaRavia Steals the Show with a Game-Changing Dunk
The Lakers called a time out with 9:35 remaining in the fourth quarter Sunday in an attempt to slow down a Miami Heat team that had sliced a once 18-point Lakers lead to three points. Out of the time out, the ball wound up in the hands of, not Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, but Jake LaRavia.
It was up to LaRavia to deliver in a pretty big moment, and he did so emphatically with a left-handed dunk over Heat 7-0 center Kel’el Ware. The Lakers’ lead never dipped below four points the rest of the way.
“I have no idea,” LaRavia said when asked how he pulled off the dunk over a taller defender. “This was the first time I dunked, I think, in a long time with my left hand and I just saw an open lane. I was aggressively attacking it and he kind of jumped a little bit late. So, I went up to go dunk the ball for the first time because I was just trying to lay it up.”
Jaxson Hayes Stars in His Role
Jaxson Hayes came to the post-game podium wearing a Dodgers jersey, one he had received with his name and the No. 11 on the back from throwing out the first-pitch at a game. Hayes talked about how “hyped” he was to see the Dodgers win the World Series over the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday night.
Jaxson Hayes and Jake LaRavia share a moment during the second half Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Bronny James Plays Important Minutes
Bronny James played almost seven minutes in the fourth quarter, a sign of the faith Lakers coach JJ Redick has in his second-year guard. James played a little over 11 minutes overall, scoring just two points, but notching three steals.
Bronny James dunks during the first half against Miami on Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
For more information about the Los Angeles Lakers and their recent performance, you can visit Image Source: www.latimes.com
