Ayton's Defense Shines, Lakers Lead 2-0

It's April 24th.

This is California News Today, powered by AI.

I'm Cory with the story.

Lakers sitting pretty up, two games to nothing over the Houston Rockets, heading into game

3 at Toyota Center.

They're pulling it off without Luca Don Chitch and Austin Reeves on the floor, thanks

to Team Effort, but Deandre Aiden is grabbing the mic now.

Straight up claiming he can lock down guards from position 1-5.

Aiden's regular season was low-key, averaging just 12.5 points and 8 rebounds a game.

He got heated publicly when the coaching staff pushed him to dial back scoring for more

defense, even saying they wanted to mold him into a Clint.

Copy the type.

Fans and analysts are buzzing because Game 1 showed his potential.

19 points, 11 boards, and he stone-walled Alparen Sengan to 6-0.

19 shooting, switching onto wings like a boss.

Game 2, quieter line with 6 points and 5 rebounds, but Lakers still took the W.

According to Aiden, the shift comes from Real Trust, built with coaches J.J. and Frank

during training camp.

They challenged him hard on switches and handling elite ball handlers, and he's buying

in fully now.

Kevin Duran is questionable with that ankle injury, so Sengan stays Houston's go-to

guy.

Game 3 tests, if Aiden can flip the script on the road, and a fired up arena where Rockets

desperately need a spark to claw back.