Lakers Lose Fifth Straight, Game Recap

The streaky Laker team started off 5 of 5 from the field, with a 12-2 run to start the game. The 76ers pushed the ball back in transition in full force, adding multiple points in the paint and a plethora of shots 10′ and in. This led to their 16-4 run midway through the 2nd quarter. Xavier Henry was out after a few minutes played, with a strained right knee after a euro-step gone bad.

Midway through the 1st quarter and into the 2nd quarter, the 76ers tried multiple defensive schemes, from applying zone defense to full-court press situations. At the end of the 1st, the Lakers were leading 22-20. Into the 2nd quarter, the defensive schemes confused the Laker offense, disorienting their timing. This led to multiple forced perimeter shots at the end of the shotclock. There was no ball-penetration with the pass or the dribble within the offense. Jordan Farmar came back into the game midway through the 2nd quarter, and this allowed the Laker offense to control tempo and settle down the team. He repeatedly attacked the zone defense finding Jodie Meeks for open 3-point shots at the corner baseline.

Dec 29, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Nick Young (0) drives against Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) during the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Young was overextending his play, ramping up his intensity to match the 76ers defensive intensity. This is the first time this season he has seen multiple double teams from the 3-point line. They resulted in Laker turnovers. Kendall Marshall came into the 2nd quarter, lacking assertiveness to score, despite being open. After a short 76er run, the Lakers called timeout. Marshall then ran a pick and roll situation, which led to an open 15′ jumpshot. At the 2nd of the shotclock on the next possession, he bombed in a 25′ 3-pointer, which gave the team some life. Before the end of the half, Nick Young went into isolation mode from behind the arc. Without seeing a double team, he set up his defender with the crossover between the legs and pulled up. Swish.

At the half, the Lakers were tied with the 76ers at 52.

Into the 3rd quarter, Jordan Hill and Jodie Meeks were coming up with offensive production, but the leads were short. The 76ers continued their waves of runs at the Lakers, again, pushing out into transition, getting offensive rebounds, and extending the lead. Nick Young continued to get frustrated from the field, but started attacking with more midrange shots. At the end of the 3rd, the Lakers were down 86-77.

Into the 4th quarter, the Lakers had a little scoring run that started at the end of the 3rd. With a 12-2 spurt, the Lakers carried momentum into the 4th. Kendall Marshall bombed a couple of 3-pointers and hit the roll-man with well-executed pocket passes to Sacre. The Lakers were starting to generate points in the paint. Farmar was substituted in for Marshall once the scoring run ran out of steam. He hit a critical 3-pointer to cut the lead to 104-107, but the Lakers fell just short. Shawne Williams had a chance to tie with an open three, but after the miss, the 76ers ended up with MCW getting fouled and hitting a couple of free throws. That was all she wrote.

Lakers lose 111-104.

LA’s next game comes New Year’s Even against the Bucks.