Lakers' Julius Randle: Explodes for 23-18-6 stat line Tuesday

Randle submitted 23 points (10-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 18 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks across 34 minutes in a 109-104 loss to the Hornets on Tuesday.

Analysis:

Heading into Tuesday's game, Randle had typically been offering modest returns in his seven games since returning from pneumonia, but he came through with a breakout performance that will surely increase his DFS ownership in future contests. Coach Luke Walton's decision to lean on small-ball lineups for most of the evening worked in Randle's favor, as the third-year big man saw more time at center than usual, which may have aided him to his second-best rebound total of the season. The Lakers' deep rotation often works to the detriment of the team's starters, but with 28 or more minutes in the last four games, Randle is increasingly becoming exempt to that rule.