The Los Angeles Lakers confronted the 21-42 Brooklyn Nets with out LeBron James Monday night time. They seemed just like the crew holding onto eleventh place, not a championship contender.
Los Angeles made a comeback try, with Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic each drilling three-pointers within the ultimate 40 seconds, however they fell to the Nets, 111-108.
They weren’t simply lacking James, both. Ahead Rui Hachimura is lacking the Lakers’ complete four-game East Coast street journey. Dorian Finney-Smith missed Monday’s recreation with an ankle damage and heart Jaxson Hayes missed each Saturday’s loss to the Boston Celtics and the Nets loss.
That meant the Lakers’ frontcourt rotation was made up of Alex Len, signed one month in the past, and Trey Jemison, signed to a two-way deal in January. They nonetheless held the Nets to 41.1% capturing and continued their glorious latest protection.
The issue was the offense. Doncic got here by means of with a triple-double (22 factors, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) however shot solely 8-of-26 from the sector. He is been filling up the field rating since changing into a Laker however he is solely capturing 39% and 32% on threes. Doncic can be averaging 4.2 turnovers, up from 3.4 with the Dallas Mavericks.
Reaves had 10 assists, however shot 3-of-14. That is the hazard of getting simply two offensive threats — the Nets had been free to deal with the Lakers duo, versus the replacements.
However paradoxically, this recreation ought to make the Lakers extra resolute about ready for James to get fully wholesome. First, they nonetheless virtually received Monday’s recreation, with a patched-together lineup and poor capturing. It additionally confirmed the boundaries of their depth.
Having James covers loads of tough spots on the roster. Not having James makes this crew very beatable. So long as the Lakers keep out of the play-in zone, their prime precedence ought to be getting James as match as attainable by April. Even when it results in some ugly nights just like the one they only had in Brooklyn.
