In the last 10 minutes of the Los Angeles Lakers’ one-point defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, everything that is wrong with the squad came together against a team that many predicted would be competing for the No. 1 selection.
After the Lakers were defeated 116-115, LeBron James remarked, “Everything had to go wrong in order for you to lose a game like that, and everything went wrong.”
Here are the three greatest mistakes they made, all of which should worry the Lakers going ahead despite a recent stretch of stronger play.
LeBron James has demonstrated throughout his career how powerful he can be for a team with the ball in his hands.
However, on Monday’s fourth quarter, James was unable to find his spots or make the angular fall ways that have allowed him to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in terms of scoring. He only made two of six shots, the Pacers’ fastbreaks and ferocious comeback were fuelled by his empty possessions, and the game slowed down under his control.
James is only six for 16 in “clutch” time, which is defined as when teams are within five points in the final five minutes of play, according to NBA.com.
The ball simply didn’t go in tonight because those are the looks he often makes, according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “I have no problem with his taking those shots,”
History indicates that he is correct, but this season, James’ shooting efficiency fall may really be a symptom of deterioration. And if that occurs quickly in any fashion, the Lakers’ issues could be too severe to address.
Some issues reemerged when the Lakers failed to get stops in the fourth quarter as Indiana whittled away their 17-point advantage over 10 minutes.
The Pacers controlled the boards, giving them second opportunities, while the Lakers struggled to stop possessions, especially in the last two minutes. While Austin Reaves, Russell Westbrook, and Dennis Schroder made up the Lakers’ final lineup and lack much in the way of size, Anthony Davis stressed the importance of effort in working the glass. The Lakers stayed small despite Schroder finished with a team-worst minus-16 as Tyrese Haliburton tormented the Lakers defence because the two players the team relies on for wing minutes, Lonnie Walker IV and Troy Brown Jr., were unsuccessful enough.
The Lakers’ lack of size and depth on the wings was undoubtedly a larger influence than Patrick Beverley, who was serving the last game of a three-game ban for pushing Deandre Ayton.
Getting back two role players (or more) for one, which helps to rebalance the squad, is a part of the reasoning behind dealing for Westbrook.
The Lakers had few choices as they battled on both sides of the floor.
The Lakers are using Davis less as the game progresses (he had just two shots in the fourth quarter on Monday), which was a concern before James made his comeback from injury. Getting Davis the ball and getting him to the foul line must be top goals if the Lakers plan to win games by having him dominate on offence.
Davis frequently reached the free-throw line as the Lakers made a late drive in the first half. In the fourth, he only attempted two free throws after being fouled on a loose ball.
Ham said of the Lakers’ late offence: “I wish we would have been a lot more aggressive, maintained playing with speed. You gain a lead like that, the free-throw line helps you to preserve your lead. “Continue being orderly and moving the ball, too. That is my fault. That is my fault. I’ll be accountable for it.
The Lakers have stated that improving Davis’ fourth-quarter performance in close games must be a goal, but they must also demonstrate it.
