How Austin Reaves big second quarter helped propel Lakers to win

Austin Reaves scored 15 points in the second quarter, helping the Lakers to a much-needed road win over the Pacers.

In need of a victory to snap their losing streak, the Lakers came up against a Pacers team riding high.

After a tight first quarter, the game shifted in the second quarter. Led by an Austin Reaves takeover, the purple and gold scored the first 15 points of the frame as part of a 24-3 run.

The team has been in constant metamorphosis this season, especially on the offensive end, with Reaves's role changing from on-ball guard to off-ball playmaker night to night.

The game against Indiana marked just the 12th game together for the trio of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Reaves. Ensuring all three are clicking involves identifying opportunities where they can all find time to control the ball effectively.

Reaves found that opportunity in the second period.

Dončić sat to begin the quarter and the Lakers went to a small-ball look with James occupying the center spot. An important wrinkle is the Lakers used James primarily as a screener during this stretch, allowing Reaves complete control of the ball.

Reaves went to work, showcasing his entire repertoire as a scorer. The Pacers utilize guards who excel at applying ball pressure and hounding, forcing opponents into turnovers and an up-tempo game.

One counter is a high ball screen, which you can see being set by James in the play below. Reaves drives to the basket and finishes with an and-one.

On the very next possession, James comes up to set the screen again. Watch as Reaves rejects the screen, a patented move, and gets into the paint for the running floater. This pushed the lead to nine, a 17-point swing as the Lakers trailed by eight in the first quarter.

He even hits the Pacers with a “too small” gesture at the end of the play.

A few possessions later, Reaves, a savvy scorer, gets a pick from Dorian Finney-Smith and takes advantage of his defender’s overly aggressive play while moving through the screen. Watch below as he earns three free throws, plus an extra one for a technical foul.

A few plays later, Gabe Vincent sets the high ball screen, enabling Reaves to be defended by Tyrese Haliburton, a matchup he prefers. Reaves hits him with a lefty crossover pull-up jump shot.

Reaves capped off a 40-22 Lakers quarter with a lob to Jaxson Hayes. He scored 17 points in the first half and 15 in the quarter, finishing the game with 24 on 6-9 shooting. His performance propelled them to a 13-point halftime lead before the Pacers stormed back in the third quarter, though the Lakers survived on a buzzer-beating tip-in by James.

Reaves is often viewed as the “odd man out” when discussing the scoring hierarchy. This is understandable, given the gravitas that James and Dončić command; naturally, you want the ball in their hands.

However, you want the ball in Reaves’ hands, too. Wednesday’s game marks his 29th game of scoring over 20 points this season and he has averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.6 rebounds since the New Year.

Not numbers of a player who should be kept to a minimized role.

With ten games remaining in the season, finding ways to keep Reaves aggressive as a scorer and in rhythm alongside James and Dončić will be crucial for the Lakers to reach their potential. His second quarter against the Pacers was a step in the right direction.