Plays ahead of Howard Gabriel finished with five points (2-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and four rebounds across 13 minutes Friday in the Lakers' 122-109 win over the Wizards. Impact When Gabriel agreed to a two-way contract earlier in March, head coach Frank Vogel said the well-traveled fourth-year player would have the opportunity to factor into the rotation. After getting only spot minutes in the Lakers' first five games of the month, Gabriel finally saw meaningful run as a small-ball center Friday, while Dwight Howard was excluded from the rotation entirely. Howard could factor back into the mix when the Lakers oppose centers that can't stretch the floor like the Wizards' Kristaps Porzingis, but Vogel looks as though he may lean on Gabriel and LeBron James to match up with smaller, more versatile centers. For that reason, both Gabriel and Howard could have volatile roles from game to game.
MARCH 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
