'Changes our ceiling': Why Deandre Ayton is key to Lakers upset vs. Thunder
Deandre Ayton had a very strong series against the Houston Rockets and the Lakers need him to replicate that performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton shoots over Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason in Game 5 at Crypto. com Arena on April 29. The Lakers hope Ayton can deliver against the Thunder like he did against the Rockets.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Lakers center Deandre Ayton bounced across the court after practice Monday wearing all black, his chains swaying, his mood jovial as he approached the media to talk about his role in the Western Conference semifinals. His spirits were high for what lies ahead for the Lakers as they prepared to face the best team in the NBA, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Lakers coach JJ Redick said the play of his center “changes our ceiling the most.
” Simply put, Ayton’s high-level of play will be paramount for the Lakers when they begin the best-of-seven series Tuesday night in Oklahoma City . Read more: How the Lakers and Thunder match up entering their playoff series "Everything has been pretty solid, just staying in my role and just doing more in my role," Ayton said. "This is the playoffs, so everybody can do more, everybody has another level.
And this is the second round coming in, so I think we all deserve that little bit of increase of confidence from what we’ve done so far and the outcome from the adversity we’ve faced. "I feel like that’s where we are right now and I think that’s what’s motivating me, as well, coming into these games. Just seeing, listening and being dialed in and seeing the results of it.
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