The Lakers’ new-look starting lineup, featuring Rui , LeBron James and Anthony Davis, has won five of their last six games and is laying out a blueprint for success.

LOS – Spending most of the season meandering in mediocrity, fans have heard every excuse in the book as to why the Lakers have failed to stack up wins despite having LeBron James and Anthony Davis relatively healthy this season.

Ham has stressed it is a marathon and injuries are the main reason the team couldn’t find a rhythm.

Well, it seems they’ve found it.

With the insertion of Rui in the starting lineup, the Lakers are now 5-0 when pairing him with James, Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves. The lineup now is the fourth most used five-man lineup for the Lakers, logging in 87 minutes with a net rating of +9.5.

It’s not just the stats and records that are impressive. The eye test matches the numbers.

On Tuesday night against the Pistons, the Lakers were Showtime. Behind-the-back passes from Reaves led to James dunks, Davis outlet passes resulted in Russell layups, and Rui constantly attacked the rim, leading to a night on 70% shooting from the field.

Minus the opening field goal by Detroit, Los Angeles was in complete control and ran the Pistons out of the gym, cruising to a

Ham has stressed it is a marathon and injuries are the main reason the team couldn’t find a rhythm.

Well, it seems they’ve found it.

With the insertion of Rui in the starting lineup, the Lakers are now 5-0 when pairing him with James, Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves. The lineup now is the fourth most used five-man lineup for the Lakers, logging in 87 minutes with a net rating of +9.5.

It’s not just the stats and records that are impressive. The eye test matches the numbers.

On Tuesday night against the Pistons, the Lakers were Showtime. Behind-the-back passes from Reaves led to James dunks, Davis outlet passes resulted in Russell layups, and Rui constantly attacked the rim, leading to a night on 70% shooting from the field.

“I think, as you guys can see, it’s smooth,” said after the game. “We already have a chemistry. I’ve been telling you guys about it since the playoffs last year. This lineup is really good for us…Offensively, we’re firing, of course. I think we’re one of the best teams. We have to keep building the chemistry and we have to make the playoffs.”

The offense excites the crowd and makes the highlights on and social media, but the defense secures the result.

To that end, the Lakers were a well-oiled machine led by Anthony Davis, their Defensive Player of the Year candidate. When the Pistons penetrated the paint, he was always ready to take on the challenge, either contesting the shot directly or scaring the driver enough to deter a shot attempt, forcing the ball back out into the wings.

In the third quarter, the Pistons had a clear 3-on-1 , but they were at a disadvantage as Davis devoured the ball.

After the game, Davis shared his thought process during his defensive stand.

“I saw (Jalen) Duran on the other side and I knew they were probably going to try throw the lob so I was trying to fake and bait him,” Davis said. “Then when I saw him kind of commit to the layup, I knew I could get the block. It’s one of many special plays that I’ve had this year. Trying to be a good defensive player, that’s all.”