About The Lakers
LA has been one of the best teams in the West all season despite dealing with various key injuries. The Lakers won 11 of their first 15, and had the Association’s eighth-best record at the season’s mid-point (25-16). But the Lakers went 8-5 over the next 13 contests to drop to fifth in the conference at 33-21. They finished with the fifth-best record in the NBA after the All-Star break at 20-8.
Los Angeles was 10th in offensive rating, as the Lakers were the league’s second-best shooting team, leading the Association with a 50.2% field goal percentage. The Lakers are a solid three-point shooting team, though they rank in the bottom third of the league in makes (11.8) and attempts (33) a game. The Lakers thrive at getting to the foul line (26.8 per game), though they are just average at protecting the ball. Additionally, they are a below-average offensive rebounding team, ranking 28th in second-chance points at 12.8 per contest.
Defensively, the Lakers are slightly below average. The Lakers, 20th in defensive rating, allow opponents to shoot 48.4% from the field this season. The Lakers do defend the 3-point line well, holding opponents to 35.2% from deep, while making 12.8 of 36.4 attempts. They are average defensively, struggle with rim protection, and deal with foul trouble.
LA is one of the best clutch teams in the league, winning 22 of 30 games when the Lakers are in that situation with a +2.3 scoring margin, which is second only to Oklahoma City.
Without Doncic and Hachimura
While Doncic and Reaves have led the Lakers’ season-long, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard have stepped up their production since the duo went down with their injuries. James has averaged 24.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, ds and 10 assists in games that Doncic and Reaves have missed.
Meanwhile, DeAndre Ayton and Hachimura have combined for 32.3 points and 10.6 rebounds in those eight games. Jaxon Hayes, Kennard, and Marcus Smart have also averaged double-figures when both Doncic and Reaves have sat.
Since the All-Star break, the Lakers have averaged 1170.0 points on 50.7% shooting from the field and 12 treys at 37.8%. The Lakers averaged 27 assists, 13.3 turnovers, and 40.8 rebounds (9.0 offensive).
Defensively, the Lakers have held their opponents to 111.8 points on 47.5% shooting from the field and 32.7% from the 3-point line. Their opponents average 27.3 assists, 41.8 rebounds (11.2 offensive), and 14.8 turnovers.
