On February 26, Beijing time, the Lakers vs. Clippers. In this game, Vogel changed sides again, Austin Reeves started for the first time, Westbrook + Reeves + Ariza + James + Howard's first appearance, Howard was finally reused after Anthony Davis was injured, and the spark of this game was praised by Lakers fans with his positive performance.
This is Howard's first return to the starting lineup since January 23, he scored 3 of 2 in the first quarter, 4 of 4 free throws, 8 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks to return to Vogel, various frontcourt rebounds detonated the home, he played 9 minutes in the first quarter, and just about 1 minute in the second quarter, he completed a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, and the Lakers' home stadium was boiling for him.
In the half, Howard scored 14 minutes, 5 of 10, 4-of-5 from the free throw line, 14 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 blocks, shooting 50 percent; Clippers' starting center Zubac had only 4 points and 6 rebounds in 2 of 3 halftime, and the Warcraft blew up Zubac. Howard's last double-double went back to January 5, another two-double after a gap of 52 days.
Howard only shot once in the third quarter but fought for 5 rebounds, and there is a saying that Howard is too well protected in the backcourt rebounds, and he also spelled out 7 frontcourt rebounds. Howard scored 14 points and 16 rebounds in the 24th quarter of the third quarter, and his performance was very impressive. The Lakers also played a 31-15 climax in the third quarter.
In the last quarter, Vogel still abandoned Howard, James played center again, without Howard in the inside line after the Lakers' ability to protect the basket plummeted, Kofi broke through and continued to create fouls, the Clippers once rebounded, fortunately, James was tired, in the remaining 6 minutes and 34 seconds Howard was finally replaced, James came down after the Lakers immediately countered 5 points to stop the Clippers, but Howard only played less than 2 minutes by James, and then did not appear again.
Howard had 14 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 blocks on 4-of-11 from the game, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, including seven frontcourt rebounds.
Text/Yan Xiaobai