Lakers have highest scoring bench in NBA

The Lakers’ bench is the highest scoring second unit in the NBA.

With an average of 57.8 points a game, the Lakers are eight full points ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks (49.8) and 12.5 points in front of the Sacramento Kings (45.3).

Jodie Meeks, who has started just one of six games for the Lakers, is currently tied with Gasol as the team’s leading scorers at 12.5 points a night.

Meeks is shooting a team-best 51% from the field. His three-point percentage of 50% is second only to rookie Ryan Kelly’s single career attempt (shooting 100% on the season).

Xavier Henry, who has made two starts, is averaging 10.8 points a night. Reserves Jordan Farmar (10.3) and Wesley Johnson (9.7) are right behind.

While winning titles, the Lakers were a top-heavy team, reliant on scorers like Kobe Bryant, Gasol, Shaquille O’Neal and Andrew Bynum. With Bryant out, Bynum in Cleveland and even Dwight Howard in Houston, the Lakers are heavily reliant on bench production.

Starting guards Steve Blake and Steve Nash have struggled with their shots, although both gave improved performances on Thursday in a win over the Rockets. Blake is averaging 8.0 points a game while Nash is at 7.6.

As a team the Lakers are scoring 100.5 points on average but yielding 107.2.

Despite Bryant’s absence recovering from Achilles’ tendon surgery and a very challenging schedule to start the season, the Lakers have opened the first six games with three victories.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.