BrooklynNets107
Despite their best efforts, the Lakers fell short for the eighth straight game.
After a surprising 10-10 start, the Lakers seem to be in free fall. Injuries are what started the dysfunction, but the snowball isn’t done rolling yet.
Wednesday’s game against the Nets had plenty to like, but plenty to learn from as well.
Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell are still trying to get back into a good flow, and it’s costing the team wins.
Luke Walton isn’t anywhere near a breaking point, but he’s also starting to heat up.
More intensity might be a good thing, but the Lakers can’t afford to self-implode this early. The rest of their season may not be a Cinderella story, but it doesn’t need to be a disaster.
What Los Angeles needs is a stronger combination of the Lou Williams / Jordan Clarkson bench with the Nick Young / D’Angelo Russell starting force.
HIGHLIGHTS: Lakers drop the second game of the road trip tonight in Brooklyn, 107-97. pic.twitter.com/pwtkKhqdwE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 15, 2016
Williams stepped up majorly with the injuries piling up, but now that order has a chance, it must be restored.
It was another night written by the success of the bench, as Williams led the team in scoring with 16 points. Russell pitched in 11, while Young had 14 — but it wasn’t enough.
Brandon Ingram could be more of a factor in the future as well. Against Brooklyn, the rookie had just nine points, and has been relatively quiet.
If Luke Walton can reignite the right kind of fire, this team can catch on again rather quickly. Eight games is a lot to catch up to, but they can overcome even this.
Taking it in chunks is how they’ll have to get back to .500 or better, as it won’t go away over night.
Los Angeles is now 10-18 on the season, with their next chance to end the losing streak coming on Friday in Philadelphia.
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