Why the Lakers' success depends on Deandre Ayton -- and vice versa - ESPN

ON THE LAUNDRY list of errors that doomed the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuesday's gut-wrenching loss to the Orlando Magic, Deandre Ayton's play wasn't one of them.

Far from it.

The Lakers center scored 21 points on just 11 field goal attempts and snatched a game-high 13 rebounds, giving L.A. a live, active big to combat Orlando's rugged front line of Wendell Carter Jr., Paolo Banchero and Jonathan Isaac.

Asked if the effort he played with was recognized by his teammates, leading to more opportunities, Ayton gave a diplomatic answer.

«The ball finds energy,» Ayton told reporters. «They believe in me when I'm down there and sealing, and they see me running hard to the rim and crashing; they reward me.»

It was Ayton's first 20-10 game in nearly a month and, to him, proof of the role he should occupy for the Lakers more often.

When he was finished speaking to the group, Ayton made his way back toward the showers and said what he really felt — loud enough for anyone still in the locker room to hear.

«They're trying to make me Clint Capela,» Ayton said, referring to the Houston Rockets' now backup center, who a decade ago made his impact as a lob-catching, rim-running big on a team that made it to two conference finals.

«I'm not no Clint Capela!»

Though the glaring storyline coming out of the loss was how Luka Doncic passed up an open shot in the final seconds and instead dumped the ball off to LeBron James for a desperation heave, there was little attention paid to how Doncic got that open look to begin with.

Coming out of the timeout, Ayton executed his part in Lakers coach JJ Redick's play with precision, running from the backcourt to the left wing and squaring his shoulders to set a hard pick on the Magic's Anthony Black to