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While the sample size is small and the competition subpar, the recent play of Lakers centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes is reminiscent of LA’s 2020 championship center rotation of Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee.

While they struggled at times during the first two thirds of the season, Ayton and Hayes made great strides over the last 17 games to the point where they’re stats are eerily similar to those of Howard and McGee. Deandre has finally accepted his role is to protect the rim and control the boards and Jaxson has finally learned how to use his verticality to become a defensive monster, averaging 3.2 blocks per game over the last 5 games.

For 2019-20 regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers were the West #1 seed with a record of 52–17 with the #11 offense, #3 defense, and #5 net rating. They ended up winning the NBA championship with an elite 16–5 record.
Meanwhile, this year’s Los Angeles Lakers have a lock on the West #3 seed with a record of 49–26 with the #5 offense, #10 defense, and #4 net rating over the last 17 games and on target to finish the regular season 55–27.

In 2019–20 regular season, Howard averaged 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 18.9 mpg while McGee averaged 6.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 16.6 mpg.
Over the last 17 games, Ayton averaged 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 25.1 mpg while Hayes averaged 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 20.4 mpg.

The dramatically improved play from Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, who are suddenly playing like Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee, has been a major factor behind the Lakers’ sudden emergence as a true contender.

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CAVALIERS WILL BE FIRST TEST FOR AYTON/HAYES

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The first big test of the Lakers new and improved center rotation happens tonight when the Los Angeles and Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes face Cleveland and their center rotation of Evan Mobley and Jarett Allen.

The Cavs’ current center rotation starts 6′ 9″ 243 lb Jarrett Allen at center with 6′ 11″ 215 lb starting power forward Evan Mobley as the backup. Allen vs. Ayton and Hayes vs. Mobley will likely be the Cavs vs. Lakers matchup.
For the current season, Allen averaged 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 27.4 mpg while Mobley averaged 18.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 32.2 mpg.

While the Lakers’ and Cavaliers’ center rotations are fairly even defensively, Cleveland’s center rotation is better offensively as it includes two starters whereas LA’s backup center Hayes comes off the bench. Combined, Allen/Mobley averaged 33.7 points, 17.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.7 blocks in 59.6 mpg while Ayton/Hayes averaged 19.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.9 blocks in 45.5 mpg.

The 49–26 Lakers are 2-point favorites at home over the 47–28 Cavaliers, who are currently the #4 seed in the East and have won 2 in a row and 7 of their last 10. The Lakers have won 3 in a row and 15 of their last 17 games.
The Cavs smoked the Lakers 129–99 back in late January but Los Angeles is a completely different team at this point. Both teams need to win and are engaged in intense battles for seeding in their respective conferences.

Cleveland’s strength is their Allen and Mobley front court so tonight will be a crucial test for the Lakers’ Ayton and Hayes center rotation. For Lakers to win, Deandre and Jaxson are going to have outplay more talented bigs.

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THUNDER WILL BE SECOND TEST FOR AYTON/HAYES

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The second test of the Lakers new and improved center rotation happens Thursday night when Los Angeles and Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes face OKC and their centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.

The Thunder’s starts 7′ 0″ 250 lb Isaiah Hartenstein at center with 6′ 9″ 240 lb starting power forward Jaylin Williams as the backup. Hartenstein vs. Ayton and Hayes vs. Williams will likely be the Thunder/Lakers matchup.
For the season, Hartensten averaged 9.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 24.8 mpg while Williams averaged 7.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 20.0 mpg.

The Lakers’ and Thunder’s center rotations have similar offense and defense stats despite OKC’s center rotation including two starters while LA’s backup center comes off the bench. OKC has better playmaking centers.
Combined, Hartenstein/Williams averaged 16.8 points, 15.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 44.8 mpg while Ayton/Hayes averaged 19.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.9 blocks in 45.5 mpg.

The 49–26 Lakers will be favorites by 6.5 to 7.5 points at home over the 60–16 Thunder, who are currently the #1 seed in the West and have won 3 in a row and 9 of their last 10. Lakers have won 3 in a row and 15 of last 17.
The Thunder beat the Lakers 121–92 in November and 119–110 in February. Thursday night’s game in LA will be their third meeting. Fourth meeting will be in Oklahoma City on April 5th. Lakers must win 1 of last 2 vs. OKC.

OKC’s weakness is their artenstein/Williams front court so Thursday night will be a key second test for the Lakers’ Ayton/Hayes center rotation. Deandre and Jaxson will have to win the center battle for the Lakers to win.