Lakers’ thrilling win in Boston thrusts rotation dilemma to center stage

Lakers’ thrilling win in Boston thrusts their rotation dilemma to center stage https://t.co/tNKZ2a8D0W via @ladailynews

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 31, 2021

It might seem surprising, but it shouldn’t be, that NBA players pay attention to analytics, too.

The one that caught Jared Dudley’s eye last week — and which he naturally chatted up to the team — was this: Even when the Lakers lose, Alex Caruso is a net positive player, with the team outscoring opponents by 29 points in his 92 minutes.

That stat passed through Anthony Davis’ mind as he thought on Caruso’s potential game-saving play Saturday night in Boston, when he raced to snake an arm between the ball and Jaylen Brown on a fast-break opportunity. The 26-year-old rarely puts up big numbers, but he has a way of making winning plays — which hasn’t escaped any of his teammates or coaches.

“He’s a smart player,” Davis said. “He’s not the highest paid or have all the accolades or credentials. A lot of people don’t notice it but he plays the right way. He locks up defensively, makes tough shots, scrappy.”