The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday night behind a terrific performance from Anthony Davis (37 points, 10 rebounds, four assists). However, it was another Lakers big man that seemed to turn the tide in the game in the second quarter: Dwight Howard.
Howard, who barely played in the Lakers’ previous series against the Houston Rockets due to the latter’s focus on “small ball,” looks as if he’s going to play a major role against the Denver Nuggets and, specifically, Nikola Jokic.
Per Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel is even considering starting Howard after his terrific showing in Game 1.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said he is considering starting Dwight Howard in Game 2 vs. Nuggets but won’t let his decision be known until Sunday.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) September 19, 2020
While that might be something of a knee-jerk move, Vogel already opted to start Howard over JaVale McGee in the second half of Game 1—so the continuity would be there for this Lakers team.
Howard was mostly a bench spark plug for the Lakers this season, as he appeared in 69 games—with only two of those being starts.
But Howard’s numbers speak for themselves in Game 1. Compared to McGee’s donut in Game 1 in 10 minutes (zero points, rebounds, and assists, two turnovers, one block, -11 in plus/minus), Howard put up 13 impactful points in only 16 minutes with three rebounds, two steals, two blocks and a bench-high +14.
It certainly seems as if eight-time All-Star Howard is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to win a championship in his 16th season, and Vogel seems willing to reward with a starting gig.
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