Game Debrief: What Went Right And What Went Wrong?

I thought Adou looked energetic in his stint. I was hoping he was gonna get another 5 mins in the second half but JJ just went away from him. Damn shame

 

Detroit went on that big run when he was on the floor. I knew once that happened he wasn’t going to see the floor again. And I agree, it is a shame.

 

Lakers didn't play smart basketball

 

Lakers played without Smart basketball

 

Lakers w/o Marcus, Rui, Ayton, go up 10-0 before IND even got a shot off, scored 45 in the 1st to end that quarter up 17.

Up 29 at one point in the 3rd, Bronny, Maxi, and Vando got significant mins. IND went on a barrage of scoring late: lots of 3s, but the Lakers win 137-130 in a game that wasn't really nearly that close.

Luka: 43 on 15 for 30 shooting, 9 of 10 FTs (!), 6 boards and 7 dimes. He's been an absolute beast over the past 13-14 games.
Jaxon: 21/10 and he only missed one FG in starting in place of Ayton.
AR: 25 with 8 dimes.
41 year old Action Figure: 23/9/9 on 9 for 17 shooting
Jake started, made all 3 of his shots, and had 4 steals.

Now we go home. Great roadtrip!

Good to see Tyrese on their bench. Gawd, they have missed that guy. He's had shingles the past month. I have not had shingles, but a couple of my friends have, and it made them MISERABLE, and I will make a small public announcement: if you haven't been vaxxed for shingles, ask your doc. You will get one, feel like you have the flu the next day, feel fine the day after that, and then go back and get the 2nd dose within 6 months. Not only will you be protecting yourself against a virus that give you burning rash - usually on one side of your body and often on your face - but new research shows the shingles vax protects you in a significant was from dementia in your later years.

"Too late for you then, I see," you say.

I realize you mean well.

 

I wouldn't worry too much... we have Cleveland and OKC x 2 plus Phoenix.

Meanwhile Denver have Spurs twice and OKC once. They won't make up that many games and even if they do, who cares if we're the 3rd or 4th seed. You have to beat one of Spurs or OKC in the semi's to get to the conference and face the other one.

Either we're good enough to do it, or we aren't - come whoever may.

 

Needed this win

Out scored in the 4th 45-32 and still won by 7

Role players

Hayes 21 pts 10 reb 1 ast 2 stl 2 blk

LK 8 pts 2 reb 2 ast

Max in 11 minutes 2 pts 4 reb 1 ast 2 stl

 

our road games against phx and gs will be when they're still likely jockeying for position, which is bad.

two of those three games are the last two of the season, when i'm guessing the 1/2 seeds will be set and neither team will be playing to win. might as well be games against utah (which denver has twice down the stretch).

i think SA is definitely the one you'd want to try first, though.

yeah, as long as you avoid okc/sas/den in round 1. can't imagine having to run that full gauntlet.

 

I’d rather play OKC than San Antonio personally. I think the spurs are the best team this year, they almost swept OKC too.

Either way you have to beat two of Denver, Spurs or OKC to have a chance at the best of the east. It’s a rough ride this year.

 

Not worried about this being a close game at all.

Lesser teams always try hard against LeBron/Lakers teams because many of their family/friends are probably LeBron/Lakers fans.

Lakers just played down to their level of competition as always.

One thing I will say is there is a noticeable difference in intensity without Smart in the lineup. He's the glue of this team defensively and as a hustle player.

 

We miss Smart definitely.

 

Flying out to LA from South Carolina with the Mrs. to see Luka Monday and he’s suspended smh.

 

Oh no! Crap what were the odds that was going to happen when you bought the tickets.

 

We got good news and bad news.

-Okay, gimme the good news

The Lakers played the 17-win Nets like they were wearing mud boots. Brooklyn took a lead in the 4th quarter. With 8:19 left, it was tied at 92. Lakers, led by AR, went on a 24-7 run to end the game. Lakers win 116-99. Luka had 41; AR 25.

-Cool! What's the bad news?

Luka got his 16th tech, and there probably ain't any way the league rescinds; he'll sit out vs. the Wiz.

-So...AR goes for 50 on Monday?

Yea. I mean...maybe. Who knows?

 

It was such a BS play too.

 

Luka is on an unreal run right now. When you’ve got a player putting up these kinds of numbers you’re going to win a lot of those games as we’re doing right now.

 

Important that we won game #48

Have to win the games you are supposed to win

Lakers win the 4th 31-15 to win by 17

Glad they woke up in time

Role players

Hayes 10 pts 8 reb 1 ast 5 blk

LK 5 pts 4 reb 1 ast 1 stl

Rui 8 pts 3 reb 1 stl