The Los Angeles Lakers, who have won 7 wins in the last 9 games, challenged to climb back to 50% winning percentage today (13th), but finally lost 108 to 112 at home to the New York Knicks, allowing the Lakers to win 3 consecutive victories. In addition, The team’s ranking also fell out of the top 10 in the Western Conference once more.
3/13 (Mon.) The Lakers face the Knicks who have lost three games in a row recently. Although the Knicks lacked Brunson, they have a lot of experience in away games (21 wins and 14 losses in away games), and their ability should not be underestimated. In the first quarter of the Knicks, Julius Randle made achievements both inside and outside the line. He frequently scored 2+1 kills on the inside and was able to grasp the middle distance steadily. He scored 18 points in the first quarter and took an 8-point lead. D’Angelo Russell made 3 of 4 three-pointers, continuing the good touch of the previous game to help the team narrow the score. AD also joined the battle in the second quarter, desperately fighting for offensive rebounds, and scored double-ten rebounds in the half. Together with Russell, they scored 35 points. With the firepower of the two, the Knicks led the Lakers 62-59 at halftime, while Julius Randle scored 25 points and 8 rebounds at halftime.
In the second quarter, the Knicks attacked the bottom line many times and might cause damage. The combination of Julius Randle+Isaiah Hartenstein put enough pressure on Anthony Davis. Assuming Davis left the original defensive position, Wenyen Gabriel was the only player on the Knicks inside. As for Lei Hachimura, Nick’s interior has no one to fill and block. Without Bamba, the Lakers’ barrier deterrence in the interior is much weaker.
In the second half, Anthony Davis personally guarded Randle. The Nicks wanted to continue to play hard on the inside, but the Lakers stepped forward on the outside, and the inside line compressed and cut into the space. I have to say that when Lao Zhan was away, the thickness of Hachimura’s body became the Lakers’ meat shield. People who can be relied on, in this case, although it is still easy to be scored 2+1 by Randle’s collision or small moves to make fouls, but he has basically done the best defense. He is worthy of respect for carrying Randle+Hartenstein!
The Lakers played a 12-0 offensive in the third quarter and once surpassed by 4 points, but RJ Barrett’s touch broke out in the final quarter. Relying on him to score consecutive points, the Nicks took a 106-96 double-digit lead for the first time, and every time the Lakers approached the score , Randle would always jump out and score one or two goals, disrupting the rhythm of the Lakers chasing points. Although it was the last 19.3 seconds, Dennis Schröder cut into the layup to score and helped the Lakers catch up to only two points. Unfortunately, the Lakers did not communicate well. Josh There were only 5 seconds left when Hart fouled, and Hart made two free throws at the end, which made the Lakers have no chance to counterattack.
In this game, Anthony Davis scored 17 points and 16 rebounds. AD had many offensive rebounds to prevent the start of the counter-fast break. D’Angelo Russell also felt hot and scored 33 points and 8 assists. It can still be seen that D’Angelo Russell is very important to the Lakers. The overall help is immediate, and he can effectively score points while connecting the team’s offense. Assuming he didn’t play 6 of 11 three-pointers today, and the Lakers’ outside shooters don’t feel good, Troy brown jr. With 8 outside shots exhausted, the Lakers handed over the victory early.
The fighting spirit, concentration, and defensive strength displayed by the Lakers today are not enough, and the three-point grasp is not good. The free throw percentage is also part of the review. The Lakers made 19 of 19 free throws in the last game once morest the Raptors. Today’s game is only 17 free throws He was 10-for-10 (58.9%), especially when Davis was close to the countdown of the fourth quarter, and missed both of the key free throws.
Another focus of the game. Facing the good performance of the previous game, Lakers coach Darvin Ham used Russell+Schröder+Reaves in the chasing stage. The three-guard lineup, in terms of formation, has more possibilities for offense, but the disadvantage of defense It will be magnified, and it may not be realistic to rely on three defenders to win every game.
Anthony Davis has been targeted on the offensive end in recent games and has been unable to play. It feels like he is still looking for a mode of cooperation with Russell, finding a mode that makes it easier for AD to score points. It can be expected that the Lakers will be even more terrifying when Lao Zhan returns in the future!
The good news is that following being away for regarding a year, LeBron James returned to the team to participate in the Lakers game once morest the Knicks on the sidelines, and it can be observed that LeBron has taken off his protective boots and can walk normally. Team coach Darvin Ham said: “Everything is under planning.” It is expected that Lao Zhan can return as soon as the end of March.
The Lakers’ loss in this game can only be said to be a pity, and they failed to return to a 50% winning percentage. However, Lakers fans don’t have to be too pessimistic. Losing is a good thing. It can let the coaching staff and players understand the current team’s problems and solve them early, and this game is once morest the Eastern Conference. The team’s loss did not cause too much loss to the ranking. It dropped from 9th in the West to 11th in the West, but the 9th to 11th places all won 33 wins and 35 losses. There are still many opportunities to recover the ranking. Playing once morest the Pelicans is a game that cannot be lost. As long as you grasp the schedule, show the league’s first defensive efficiency, and rush back to the playoffs, there is still a chance for the top 6 in the Western Conference.
