Increasingly important, Maxime Reynaud is heading for the top five

He wasn’t a starter, but that was just the way it was. On the floor Rockets, Maquime Raynaud was sent to the floor, instead of holder Drew Eubanks, after three minutes of play. The same scenario at the start of the second period where the Frenchman was launched… two minutes after the restart.

« Absolutely, yes. That’s really an idea, I was thinking about it tonight », recognizes Doug Christie after the match, to the fact that the Frenchman will start soon. In this matchup, the Kings coach continued to bet on Drew Eubanks, for “ help him find his way in his role », but the holder was almost non-existent (2 points in 10 minutes).

Quite the opposite of his replacement who came into the game with a winning basket at the head of the racket converted with the board. After his second 3-pointer, he finished under the circle and ended his first quarter with 12 points on the clock.

A routine that fits

He continued his efforts in the third quarter, including a feint and then a left-handed finish past Alperen Sengun. With this very technical shot, he gave his team a six-point advantage, their biggest advantage in a match that would finally start to turn in favor of the home team.

« There were many good things with him. I want him to make sure he’s really focused and takes good care of the ball », notes Doug Christie, pointing out that his staff lost the ball. It was in the last quarter, in a bold attempt to transfer, by passing from behind, to a teammate.

Apart from this detail, Maxime Reynaud had a brilliant match with 25 points (10/15), 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 32 minutes. A new career high for him, who has seen his playing time increase in recent weeks.

« Eventually we get into a routine. You know where you need to be, what you need to do. (…) Repeating things as much as possible is what makes you progress as a beginner. I wouldn’t say the game has slowed down. But it’s a little easier than the first day of training camp », notice the pivotwho should get significant playing time for at least six more games, pending the return of Domantas Sabonis.

A starter against the heat on Saturday?

« Experience is the best teacher », formulates DeMar DeRozan marked by his production of the evening. Their coach says nothing else. Doug Christie is convinced that he has what it takes to become ” good professional » of this league and that this kind of confrontation is being faced » for the Senguns, for (Steven) Adams » there is nothing but good things to do to build your experience. And his better understanding of the little things.

« For example, when you go back to transition, where do you start taking them? You can’t wait until the free throw line. They should be taken as soon as possible. And the more you start making contact, the more you slow them down. It makes them tired. It makes you tired too. So now he’s starting to understand the importance of fitness, the weight room and these different little aspects that when added up start to make a big difference in our league “, explains the coach.

The latter, for whom ” everything is on the table » as far as rotations are concerned and who says he wants to find minutes for his youngsters, he could therefore start the French during the trip, on Saturday, to the podium.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=4csiehv0Ks3U

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.