One other gradual begin, loads of frustration, a sort-of comeback and no actual good solutions, Monday’s 114-103 loss to the Toronto Raptors was extra of the identical for the Lakers.
Listed here are 4 observations from the loss.
LeBron goes silent
LeBron James scored 30 factors, shifting nearer to passing Karl Malone for the No. 2 spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring record. He ought to accomplish that a while on the staff’s upcoming four-game journey.
Following the loss Monday, James declined to talk to reporters — a rarity for him. Since he didn’t converse for himself, you can also make some secure speculations about what he noticed on the courtroom Monday evening and what he didn’t wish to say out loud.
James, a game-time choice to play due to a sore left knee, performed 40 minutes on the second evening of back-to-back video games because the Lakers desperately attempt to construct some momentum within the last month of the season. But a depressing begin, horrible physique language and visual frustration from James highlighted the Lakers’ issues which might be most likely unfixable.
Now with the staff 10 video games below .500 and James placing collectively one among his finest offensive seasons ever, he’s obtained to be feeling like this can be a waste. The person chase for the scoring crown goes effectively. The dropping, although, is not like something he’s skilled for the reason that earliest days of his profession.
The primary downside
After the Lakers allowed an embarrassing 48 factors within the first quarter to the Suns on Sunday evening in Phoenix, you needed to know the staff could be targeted on getting off to a powerful begin.
As a substitute, they fell behind by 24 factors 10 minutes into the sport, the offense fully ineffective and the protection completely uncovered.
The Lakers would finish the quarter down 33-12.
“It’s nearly like each recreation, we put ourselves in a gap,” Talen Horton-Tucker mentioned.
Pregame, coach Frank Vogel talked concerning the psychological pressure these large holes have placed on his staff. For a bunch that’s struggled to play high-quality basketball, being compelled to rally after brutal stretches of play nearly ensures a loss.
“Actually throughout this stretch, it’s been one quarter — it’s been the second quarter, the third quarter, the final two video games it’s been the primary quarter — we simply can’t put the ball within the basket,” Vogel mentioned. “If you’re not making photographs they usually’re getting the reside rebound or a turnover, reside ball turnover, it’s powerful to set your protection. I believe our effort was good to begin, however … our offense was placing us in a tricky spot.”
Did issues truly get higher?
The Lakers would lower their deficit to single digits late within the recreation Monday due to a livid comeback halfway by way of the fourth quarter.
“Our guys caught with the sport they usually maintain combating. They’re combating by way of a tricky season. And we’re not letting go of the rope,” Vogel mentioned. “We do maintain getting down, nevertheless it’s from not making sufficient photographs, not executing effectively sufficient. However our guys are nonetheless combating.”
However do these stretches truly imply something or is that this extra about opponents barely stepping off the fuel? The Lakers have held on to those moments as they’ve regarded for causes to remain invested within the season, and, not less than publicly, that’s the trail they’re staying on.
“You don’t give up,” Russell Westbrook mentioned. “You simply compete.”
So what now?
The Lakers are dedicated to enjoying small-ball lineups, however there could also be some wiggle room in Vogel’s rotations.
Wenyen Gabriel struggled from the sphere — he was one-of-eight taking pictures — however the issues he does are so sorely missed that even on an evening like that, he seems to be like somebody who must be on the courtroom.
“I just like the power that Wenyen brings to our staff,’ Vogel mentioned. “He performs tremendous exhausting and has a pure angle and is lengthy and athletic. We'd like that sort of size and athleticism on the ahead place.”
Ideally, they’d be getting that from somebody higher geared up to assist a playoff staff problem for a title, however the Lakers are going to should accept what a two-way participant may give them.
Then there’s Wayne Ellington, who led the staff with a plus-21 ranking in his minutes Monday. Whereas Vogel has mentioned different wings have higher two-way potential, possibly it’s time to take a participant with a wanted ability — taking pictures — and reside with the opposite issues it'd trigger.
God is aware of there are many them, so what’s another?
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Replace: Karl-Anthony Cities had 60 factors and 17 rebounds to guide the Timberwolves (40-30) to a win over the Spurs in San Antonio on Monday. Minnesota, which has gained eight of its final 10 video games, trails sixth-place Denver by 1 1/2 video games. The Lakers (29-39), who've misplaced two straight and have solely gained twice within the final 10 video games, have listed LeBron James (knee) as questionable and Talen Horton-Tucker as possible.
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