Austin Reaves floats it in off the backboard to score for the Lakers.

From better catch-and-shoot looks to fewer ball-handling responsibilities, James and Reaves are already reaping the benefits of playing alongside their new teammate.

One Fox Sports 1 analyst feels Austin Reaves is the man who puts the Lakers over the top as legitimate contenders for the NBA championship.

LeBron James scored 40 points, including eight straight in a fourth-quarter surge, and Austin Reaves had 32 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-102 on Thursday night. The Lakers were without guard Luka Doncic,

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The Lakers strike first in style as Austin Reaves connects on a 3-pointer from way downtown.

Austin Reaves sends a lob from beyond half court to LeBron James for a layup.

Luka Doncic sends a no-look, over-the-head pass back to Austin Reaves for a Lakers 3-pointer.

Austin Reaves lobs it over the defense, and LeBron James finishes with the alley-oop.

James and Reaves made the biggest shots, got the biggest stops and, on a night when they didn’t have Luka Doncic, pushed the Lakers to a 110-102 win over the Trail Blazers. James scored 40 on the second night of a back-to-back and Reaves added 32,