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Austin Reaves and LeBron James have played beautifully together this season, especially in the playoffs. In the second quarter of Game 5 against the Memphis Grizzlies, Reaves' connection with James was on full display.
Here are the two finishing a fastbreak with aplomb:
After "King James" batted away a lob by Xavier Tillman intended for Jaren Jackson Jr., a streaking Reaves raced to the Lakers' end of the court. Knowing the four-time MVP was trailing him, the former undrafted rookie tossed a no-look alley-oop to James.
The 38-year-old superstar showed that he still has springs in those legs with a high-flying catch before laying the ball in. LeBron James' basket cut the Memphis Grizzlies' lead to 56-44 with 3:16 left in the second quarter.
Austin Reaves and LeBron James struggle in Game 5, vow to bounce back in Game 6
Austin Reaves led the LA Lakers in scoring in Game 4 with 23 points. He ably supported LeBron James, who had the first 20-point and 20-rebound performance of his 20-year career.
Reaves already had 10 points by halftime in Game 5 but couldn't sustain that form. He missed a couple of wide-open 3-pointers during the Memphis Grizzlies' 26-2 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters.
The undrafted rookie, who has become one of the LA Lakers' most popular players, was also exposed on defense by Desmond Bane. Memphis' streaky shooting guard torched the Lakers for a game-high 33 points.
Bane was 12-21 from the field, including 4-9 from behind the arc. Austin Reaves spent most of his time chasing Bane through screens and pindowns.
Reaves had this to say following the LA Lakers' Game 5 loss:
“They're the 2 seed in the west for a reason, they're really good. We didn't come in thinking it was gonna be a cakewalk… we're going back to our house, and we'll compete to win there."
Meanwhile, LeBron James followed up his historic night with an average game. "King James" played 37 minutes but tallied just 15 points, 10, rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.
The four-time MVP didn't have his usual impact on the offensive end of the floor. Darvin Ham took him out with roughly four minutes left in the game.
The LA Lakers superstar had this to say about his performance on Wednesday night:
“Tonight, I was s**t. And I’ll be better in Game 6. ... You give credit where credit is due. They played great tonight and we go back home for Game 6.
"We all just gotta be better. It definitely starts with me. I was not very good at all. I think defensively I was good but offensively I was not really good."
Austin Reaves and LeBron James will have a chance to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 in front of their fans.
Guess the Lakers players!
