The answer, provided by multiple players whom team sources say spoke up in the huddle, would provide the key to that night’s comeback win in those final five-plus minutes.
Anthony Davis would set the high screen to prompt the switch, with D’Angelo Russell as the “high man” and Rui Hachimura in the strong-side corner. If a double-team came James’ way, Russell would flash across the lane and open up a potential dunk for Davis or a 3-pointer for Hachimura in the corner. The plan worked to near perfection, with Theis taking over for Leonard six times down the stretch and James picking the opposition apart from there as the Lakers finished the game on a 15-6 run to win 116-112.
The solution, offered by several players who, according to team sources, raised their hands during the huddle, would be crucial to the victory comeback that evening in the final five-plus minutes.
Rui Hachimura would be in the strong-side corner and D’Angelo Russell would be the “high man” when Anthony Davis set the high screen to initiate the switch. Russell would dart across the lane to create space for Davis to dunk or for Hachimura to shoot a 3-pointer from the corner if James was facing a double-team. The strategy was executed almost perfectly, as Theis replaced Leonard six times in the last minutes of play, and James continued to dismantle the defense as the Lakers went on a 15-6 run to win 116–111.
