In Game 6 of the NBA Finals last season, Frank Vogel decided to move Alex Caruso into the starting lineup. That adjustment was a big reason why the Los Angeles Lakers were able to avoid going into a win-or-go-home Game 7 with the Miami Heat.
And with the possibility of another elimination game looming in the Lakers’ play-in game with the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Vogel turned to Caruso once again, and once again, he delivered. Not only did Caruso do the little things that he usually does on the defensive end, but he carried the Lakers on offense in the first half, scoring a team-high 12 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting from the field.