Walton gives Lakers a lift, Hall of Famer's son contributes late in first half, By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News
LOS ANGELES — Lakers Coach Phil Jackson promised early changes in his lineup if he saw the need.
He did in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Pistons on Tuesday night at the Staples Center, surprisingly going to rookie Luke Walton.
Walton, who went to Arizona and is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton — who was in attendance — gave the Lakers the first-half spark they needed with seven points.
He also was the reserve Jackson went to in the fourth quarter after the Pistons came back from an 11-point deficit to tie the score.
Walton finished with seven points and eight assists in 27 minutes.
In his 12 first-half minutes — a monumental amount of playing time for Walton, considering he entered the NBA Finals averaging 4.4 minutes and 1.5 points in the playoffs — he had five assists and three defensive rebounds.
Walton entered the game with 3:30 left in the first quarter to relieve starting forward Devean George, and quickly established his presence.
He was a much-needed boost for the Lakers, who in Game 1 had only four points from their bench. By halftime of Game 2, the Lakers’ bench had 11 points from the reserves and led, 44-36.
The Lakers were looking for someone to create scoring opportunities, and Walton delivered. Two passes inside to Shaquille O’Neal, which he dunked, were particularly impressive.
“He’s an excellent passer, a good ball-handler,” Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said of Walton. “He gives us another threat.”
Walton, selected by the Lakers with the third pick in the second round of the NBA draft, sat out the third quarter.
The Lakers built an 11-point, second-half lead, but with 10:20 left in the fourth quarter, the Pistons had tied the game, 68-86.
That’s when Jackson leaned again on the rookie Walton, sending him back into the game for yet another spark. Walton quickly added two assists, as the Lakers regained the lead, 75-71 with 7:47 left in the game.
Bill Walton was in the Staples Center crowd watching the game. Last week, Walton the rookie said his father had been having a difficult time watching him play. Walton the father said it was tougher than when he tried to play for the title himself.
“I can tell how proud he is, how proud he was on draft day,” Luke Walton said last week. “I really don’t get to see him that often with his schedule and my schedule, but he’s told me many times how proud he is of me.”
Bill Walton has said watching his son play has been the time of his life. Luke Walton said he has been having a great time, as well.
At Arizona, Walton overcame numerous ankle injuries to average 10.8 points. He also had 142 assists on his way to honorable mention All-America honors his senior season. He finished his career fourth in school history with 582 assists.
“I’ve been having the best time of my life for the last six years,” Walton said. “It just keeps getting better and better.”