New Year, New Me. It is the time to start fresh and start turning things around. The Los Angeles Lakers had an opportunity to start off the year with a win over the Miami Heat. Instead, they lost at home to a Butler-less Miami, 110-96. With this loss, the Lakers have now lost three in a row with injuries adding to their struggles. With the Memphis Grizzlies around the corner, can the Lakers break the three game losing streak? Here is a quick overview of the last three Lakers games.
Lakers Start Off the New Year with a Home Loss
106-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves (December 30th)
This game was obviously not going to go in favor of the Lakers. The Timberwolves currently have one of the best records in the league. They lead the Western Conference with a 24-9 record. With the trio of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert; this team is tough to beat. In this game, Towns was mediocre at best. However, Edwards dropped 31 points and Gobert had 13 rebounds to help Minnesota beat the Lakers. Meanwhile, only LeBron James and Anthony Davis had more than 10 points from the Lakers roster. Even though the Lakers have been struggling all season, they put up a great fight against the Timberwolves. They were in it every step of the way. Defensively, they were good, and offensively, they could have been better. Even so, they held their own against one of the top teams of the season in a two point loss.
109-129 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans (December 31st)
This one could have been a lot closer. The Pelicans are currently in 6th place of the Western Conference with a 19-14 record. Pelicans currently have a four game winning streak. They are a younger, inexperienced team, but they are fast and fun to watch. This one should have been a close game, but instead, the Pelicans dominated. The Lakers should have kept the same starting lineup from the Timberwolves game, but they switched things up and it cost them. James once again shined in this one with 34 points. Sadly, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum were too much for the Lakers. Each of those players had over 20 points.
110-96 loss to Miami Heat (January 3rd)
Even though the Heat are fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 20-14 record, this loss could have been avoided. The Lakers had a few injuries but so did the Heat. The Lakers were without Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell, but Miami was without their star player in Jimmy Butler. Instead of taking advantage, the Lakers got beat by a Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr -led Miami. James did not have a good game but Davis did (29 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and three steals). If the Lakers want success to happen, both players have to be consistent at the same time.
Overview and what’s next?
Overall, the Lakers had their opportunities to win two out of these three games. They have barely won any games since they won the NBA In-Season tournament. I understand there have been injuries involved, but there are teams without their star players who still managed to win. The Lakers are inconsistent and so are Davis and James. The bench needs to improve, and the team may need another star to pair with James and Davis. Until then, there won’t be much improvement or many wins.
The Lakers will face the Grizzlies at home tomorrow and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Grizzlies have improved since getting Ja Morant back. The Clippers are on a four game winning streak and are currently in fourth place on the Western Conference. It is a tough road ahead for the Lakers, but can they surpass the low expectations people have of them as of this moment?
