The exit from the road was brutal for the Lakers. After five victories in a row, LeBron James and his teammates fell heavily in Indiana, with a catastrophic performance in attack: 90 points, 5/30 at 3-pts (16% success), and 16 lost balls.
And it's not the defense that could have saved the furniture, as Anthony Davis laments. “Opposing teams can play well and beat us. It’s the manner that is a missed opportunity”, judge inside Los Angeles. “We didn’t shoot well, there’s nothing we can do about it. But we didn't defend, we lost balls, we didn't come back in transition. »
The Lakers hadn't been this harmless in almost three months, with a 96-point outing in Miami on January 3. And these 90 small units are even the new record for mediocrity for the franchise this season.
“Offensively, we weren’t in it. We were horrible at 3-points. We've been exceptional at shooting for two months and here, tonight, we didn't have what it takes.”LeBron James can only notice.
Feeling tired?
For this third game in four days away with, as we remember, a double overtime in Milwaukee, were the Lakers simply not on their knees?
“We have to be able to be focused, play despite everything and know that it's the third time in four nights. But that's no excuse.” replies the “King”. “This is no excuse for stupidly lost balls. We can lose a ball because we are looking for a teammate, because we are attacking, but those who are lost without pressure, it is not possible. We can never accept it. »
There is, however, two good news. Already, the hardest part of this “road trip” is over. The last three matches will be against Brooklyn, Toronto and Washington, three records much weaker than that of Los Angeles (41-33). “We shouldn’t think like that because, when we say that to ourselves, we get fooled every time”warns James.
Then, this setback against the Pacers, if not a good thing, did not have big consequences in the race for the playoffs and the “play-in”. The Kings and Suns, who are ahead of the Lakers in the standings, also lost Friday night. On the other hand, behind, in tenth place, the Warriors won.
