LOS ANGELES — When JJ Redick was hired as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he said one of his first goals was to make Anthony Davis the offensive centerpiece.

Two games into Redick’s tenure, things are going according to plan.

With 35 points Friday night in a 123-116 win over the Phoenix Suns, Davis joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to score at least 35 points in the first two games of a season.

“Guys take big shots. We’re making the right plays,” said Davis, who also had eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. “Honestly, the schedule JJ put in place has helped me and helped everyone. We just have so much space and we’re having fun with it.”

There was only one stretch last season where Davis had back-to-back 35-point games. He had 36 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers’ 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Friday’s game had more drama.

The Lakers fell behind by 22 points in the second quarter as Phoenix hit 21 of its first 30 shots. However, Los Angeles made adjustments on defense and closed the deficit to 61-52 at halftime before rallying in the second half to start 2-0 for the first time in 14 years.

Reddick said one of the reasons the Lakers were able to rally was Davis’ patience despite falling behind early.

“He has a level of comfort and confidence where he knows if the game gets crazy, he knows the ball will come back to him,” Reddick said.

In a game that also provided an early test for new coach Reddick and his staff, Davis was impressed with the way Reddick handled the early adversity.

“At 22, the trust and coaching has to start,” Davis said. “JJ comes into the group and tells us to settle down, because we know what we are doing wrong in terms of turnover and transition. The fact that he doesn’t panic obviously keeps us from panicking. We rely on what he does and the plans he makes on both sides of the floor.’

Reddick is the first Lakers coach since Phil Jackson in 1999 to win his first two games.

Davis’ expanded role has helped relieve some of the pressure on LeBron James, while Austin Reaves’ game has also continued to grow.

James started 2 of 6 from the field, but had 11 points in the third quarter to finish with 21.

“It’s our job to implement it. We must earn their trust. We have to execute and stay more and more focused,” James said. “It’s very important that he (Davis) has been a focal point for us. Offensively, we need to find him in multiple places on the floor throughout the game. And we did that in two games.”

Reaves, who got a text from Reddick at 6 a.m. saying he could have a big game, had 26 points, including five 3-pointers.

“He knows the rhythm of the game as a player coach,” Reaves said of Reddick. “I believe the staff has a very high IQ and looks at the game with a player’s mentality.”

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