In a just-concluded NBA focus game, the Lakers lost 95-123 to the Pelicans by 28 points at home, swallowing a humiliating loss, and even home fans couldn't help but boo at the home players.
After the opening, the Lakers' offensive form was not good, with only 20 points in the first and second quarters, and they were already 41 points behind the Pelicans after halftime. And James and Westbrook teamed up to deliver 11 turnovers in the first half, and the whole team made 16 mistakes.
In the third quarter, the Pelicans continued their offensive state, bombarding the Lakers with a wave of 44-25 offense in the single quarter, and after the third quarter, they had led by 30 points, almost losing the suspense of the game, and at most, they were 32 points ahead of the Lakers.
In the last quarter of the game, although James broke out to lead the team to try to chase points, but the helpless point difference was too large, and other teammates could not bring more help on the offensive end, the Lakers finally chased points without results, with more than 4 minutes left, the Lakers still trailed by 24 points, Vogel directly withdrew the main force to abandon the game.
James played 36 minutes, shooting 13-of-23, 1-of-4 from three-point range, 5-of-5 from the free throw line, 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and seven turnovers, plus-minus -26, the team's penultimate number one.
Westbrook played 28 minutes, shooting 5-of-15, 0-of-2 from three-point range, 6-of-7 from the free throw line, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal, the number of turnovers was 7 like James, plus-minus -22, the team's second-to-last.
When the Zhan Mei double giants were on the floor, the Lakers all lost more than 20 points against their opponents, which was indeed quite surprising, and such a plus-minus value was even a bit dazzling.
Losing this game once again exposed the Current Problems of the Lakers:
1, the defense is not good, in the face of the Pelicans whose record is not as good as their own, the Lakers let the opposing 6 people score in double figures, and the starting 5 all scored double digits, almost the offensive state of the year.
2, the offense is not good, except for James, Westbrook and Anthony to score double figures, no other players scored in double figures, and the performance of the 3 starters was even worse, 3 people added up to less than 10 points, and the offensive end contributed very little.
Ariza scored 3 points on 1-of-3 and Reeves scored 2 points on 1-of-5 shooting, and Howard did well, shooting 3-of-5 for 6 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. But obviously, such a performance in the starting lineup, the Lakers want to win the game, it will undoubtedly be very difficult.
It can even be said that in the current Lakers lineup, except for James, there is hardly a stable scoring point, and he has been completely trapped in the dilemma of fighting alone and unable to return to the sky.
3, Vogel's platoon deployment problem, this season the Lakers did suffer some injury problems, but Vogel in the lineup change, but there is no way. In the last two games, Vogel has directly put Ariza and Reeves on the starting line-up, which has made their entire starting lineup deformed.
Why not put Munch, who shoots better from the outside, into the starting lineup? And the veteran Ariza has proved in previous games that his form is no longer in line with the starting requirements, Reeves is a bold attempt, but two games down has proved that he does not have this ability.
Play-off positions are challenging
If it is difficult for the Lakers to rush into the top six to get a straight-through playoff spot, then after losing this game, it will be very difficult for the Lakers to hold on to the playoffs.
Prior to this game, the Lakers were in ninth place in the West, 2.5 wins ahead of the tenth-place Trail Blazers and 3.5 wins ahead of the eleventh Pelicans. But after losing to the Pelicans, a direct competitor in the playoff spot, the Lakers' lead over them was narrowed to 2.5 wins.
Considering that thick eyebrows are close to regular season reimbursement, and the Pelicans' goal of impacting the playoffs after trading mcCollum is very clear, they are fully capable of winning more games than the Lakers in the remaining games, not to mention, the Lakers' remaining schedule is almost the hardest in the league.
According to the poor performance of the Lakers' current lineup, it is not impossible to be surpassed by the Pelicans and Blazers, or even by the 12th-ranked Spurs. If you can't find a way to win, I'm afraid you won't even be able to play the playoffs, which is really not alarmist.