Alex Caruso Ranks Just Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo in Impressive Defensive Statistic

Peter Dewey
2 Min Read

Los Angeles Lakers fan favorite Alex Caruso has carved out a major role in his third season in Los Angeles.

Caruso, 26, played 18.4 minutes per game for the Lakers during the regular 2019-20 season. Throughout the season, he showed great effort on the defensive end and has become a defender that his teammates can depend on.

In fact, Caruso is just behind newly minted NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner Giannis Antetokounmpo in a very important defensive statistic.

The 6-foot-5 guard has allowed opposing All-Stars to shoot just 32.0 percent from the field when he guards them in the half court this season.

The Lakers will certainly need Caruso to be a defensive stopper as they continue their run in the postseason.

They will face either the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. The Rockets have two All-Star caliber guards in Russell Westbrook and James Harden, while the Thunder have star point guard Chris Paul.

Regardless of who wins in Wednesday’s Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder, Caruso will surely have a tough defensive assignment in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Luckily, it looks like he’s up to the challenge.

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Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.