Without having a bad match in Orlando, the Lakers came across a bone that was too big and resistant for them. The Magic delivered a very solid performance to take control of the game and never let go. Two key elements, among many others, explain this success of Floridians.
To start, the Lakers’ 17 lost balls transformed into 22 points. Then especially the Magic’s 19 offensive rebounds, which allowed them to score 36 points on second chances. “We did a good job making stops but, with offensive rebounds, they were able to score points”regrets LeBron James for ESPN.
A question of will
It’s a big trend in Los Angeles this season. Darvin Ham’s troops have conceded 117 points from second chances in six games, or 19.5 points per game. On the other hand, they do not compensate, with only 54 units in total in the same area. You will have to tighten the screw on rebound.
“There are no systems for rebounds. You have to want to take the ball, it’s as simple as that.” recalls Darvin Ham for the Los Angeles Times. “The shot is taken, if your opponent is in your zone, we go for physical contact and we are the most aggressive on the ball. That’s all. I can’t design systems so that we can get more rebounds. It’s a mental problem. They dominated us in energy and effort. It’s quite a leap for us in terms of defensive rebounding. »
“ Offensive rebounds, loose balls that become transitions, it kills us”
LeBron James uses another reading framework to explain the Lakers’ lack of rebounding. He judges that he and his teammates are short for the battle under the rim because of the absences, notably those of Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt.
“Our problem is not as simple as blocking on the rebound. If the guy opposite is more powerful than you, then he is stronger than you. We can block and still lose the ball. We’ve already seen this dozens of times.” analyzes the four-time champion. “It helps to have powerful players and we have three players of this type less. But it is clear that we must do better. »
It is necessary because Anthony Davis warns that the next opponents will emphasize this point to hurt the Lakers. “I expect it, yes. Opposing teams are more aggressive. It’s not about talent or qualities. Offensive rebounds, loose balls that become transitions, it kills us. This is our Achilles heel. This is why we lose matches. We know our problem, so we have to solve it. »
| Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Party | Pts |
| Anthony Davis | 5 | 40.2 | 53.3 | 42.9 | 85.3 | 3.2 | 9.8 | 13.0 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 26.0 |
| LeBron James | 5 | 35.7 | 56.5 | 35.5 | 55.2 | 0.4 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 6.6 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 24.6 |
| Angelo Russell | 5 | 36.5 | 47.3 | 33.3 | 89.5 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 19.4 |
| Austin Reaves | 5 | 31.1 | 34.5 | 21.1 | 81.3 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 2.6 | 11.0 |
| Taurean Prince | 4 | 29.0 | 41.2 | 40.9 | 83.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 10.5 |
| Christian Wood | 5 | 21.3 | 57.7 | 38.5 | 69.2 | 1.2 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 8.8 |
| Rui Hachimura | 3 | 14.8 | 42.1 | 33.3 | 83.3 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 8.0 |
| Gabe Vincent | 4 | 28.4 | 39.3 | 7.1 | 50.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 6.0 |
| Cam Reddish | 5 | 17.0 | 31.6 | 16.7 | 83.3 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 3.8 |
| Max Christie | 2 | 11.6 | 14.3 | 20.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 5 | 8.7 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 75.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Maxwell Lewis | 1 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
