Read the full story on SportsLook - Rui Hachimura Lifts the Lakers with a Career-Best 3-Point Shooting Effort
Rui Hachimura had the hot scoring touch, so he kept shooting.
The Gonzaga University product scored a game-high 32 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers' 136-124 road victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, March 27.
Most notably, Hachimura sank 7 of 8 3-point attempts, making a career-high total from beyond the long-distance arc. And he was 5-for-5 on 3s in the second half.
In his 35-plus minutes, Hachimura finished 11-for-14 from the floor. He also blocked two shots at FedEx Forum.
Lakers frontcourt mate and future Hall of Famer LeBron James had 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists to help carry his club to its fifth consecutive victory.
"Rui's ability to shoot and spread the floor was big time for us," James was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "He just stayed locked in all night."
Hachimura credited his teammates with passing him the ball at opportune times.
"All the passes came at the right time, on the right spot, so I think I was able to have easy shots," said Hachimura, who is averaging 12.8 points per game, according to Kyodo News.
Hachimura picked up the scoring slack with All-Star big man Anthony Davis sidelined. Davis had a 34-point, 23-rebound effort against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday but also hyperextended his knee.
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) @ed_odeven.