Andre Drummond shows what bully basketball can do for Lakers - Los Angeles Times

After he had scored on this play in the third quarter, he lowered his right hand, which is the signal by the 6-foot-10, 279-pound Drummond that the 6-11, 250-pound Aldridge was too small to deal with all that force.

“It was a good basket,” Drummond said on Zoom after producing a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Dennis Schroder and Kyrie Irving ejected as Lakers roll to blowout win over Nets.

Dennis Schroder and Kyrie Irving ejected as Lakers roll to blowout win over Nets.

The Lakers cruised after Dennis Schroder and Kyrie Irving were tossed early in the third quarter, picking up a 126-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

LeBron James (right ankle), Anthony Davis (strained right calf) and Kyle Kuzma (left calf strain), all of whom were out with injuries, stood and flexed their muscles after Drummond had dominated Aldridge on that play.

More than ever, the short-handed Lakers needed Drummond to provide a lift for them on Saturday night.

“He can do that against opposing centers,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said about Drummond’s powerful play?

Later in the third, Drummond took on the role of motivator for his teammates after Dennis Schroder was ejected from the game with 9:41 left in the quarter after getting his second technical foul in sequence, the same as Nets guard Kyrie Irving.

The Lakers had lost 19 points Schroder had up to that point.

We need to lock in defensively, not worry about offense because you know they’re going to come out with a full head of steam based off of the last play that just happened,’ ” Drummond said.

The Lakers led 66-62 when Schroder was tossed but finished the third with a 92-71 lead.

There was another play in which Drummond had the basketball near the free-throw line and his dribble was still alive when he took a few more and rolled past Aldridge for a left-handed layup early in the first quarter.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was challenged by Lakers coach Frank Vogel to become more of an offensive force

Lakers, missing two more players, fall short against the Heat

Lakers, missing two more players, fall short against the Heat

Lakers to raise 17th NBA championship banner on May 12

The Lakers announced Thursday that they will raise their 17th NBA championship banner on May 12 at Staples Center