Lakers Blow 3rd and 4th Quarter Leads, Lose In Overtime
If the Lakers want proof that defense matters, all they have to do is replay the last half minute of the game in Milwaukee. It was a crushing half minute of basketball in which the Lakers habitual carelessness on defense once again caused their implosion. An apparent victory was suddenly buried in an overtime defeat.
"“You can’t keep losing these kind of games”, Byron Scott said."
Except, they do keep losing these kind of games.
Similar to the game in Chicago, the Lakers came unglued late. With thirty-six seconds left in regulation, the Lakers had a six point lead, thanks to a Jeremy Lin clutch three. The Lakers then gave up a three pointer to Brandon Knight. The lead was three when Jeremy Lin dribbled the ball to run the clock down and took a tough three pointer at the top of the key that missed. It set up O.J. Mayo’s corner three that was defended by Carlos Boozer…yes Boozer, and Wayne Ellington who ran over late. Predictably, it went in and the game went into overtime.
In overtime, the Lakers offense was a steady diet of Boozer but it was their defense that was anemic. They had no answer for Brandon Knight who had been quiet for most of the game but was lethal in the overtime. Guarded by Lin, he made a driving layup, two threes and carried the Bucks, as he has done all season long. The Lakers couldn’t match basket for basket, the Bucks scored 19 points in five minutes, and a thrilling effort became another loss.
More from Lake Show Life
- 3 most underrated players currently on the Los Angeles Lakers roster
- 2 Lakers who would benefit the most from a Kyrie Irving trade
- Victor Oladipo’s Russell Westbrook comments are terrible sign for Lakers
- 4 Free agent fits for the Lakers while they wait on Kyrie Irving
- 3 Most likely positions the Lakers will use for the last roster spot
An hour earlier, it seemed that the Lakers had caught the Bucks on an off night. The Lakers were cruising as they played harder than the Bucks. They outrebounded them by 18. They had a 8 point halftime lead. But in the third quarter, the Bucks went on a 17-0 run. Still, the Lakers came back in the 4th quarter. Scott, realizing Lin was more effective than Jordan Clarkson, let him close the game out.
"“He gave us offense and was aggressive. He played a solid game.”"
The Lakers bench was dominant as well. They scored 69 points and were a big key as to why the Lakers were able to hang in with the Bucks who are a sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Jeremy Lin had 11 points. Carlos Boozer, the workhorse of the game and saving the Lakers from shot-clock hell, had 28 points. Nick Young had 16 points. Ed Davis had 20 rebounds.
Even though the Lakers effort was admirable, it came down to those two three pointers in the last half minute. Scott chose not to foul the Bucks when his team was up by three. Some coaches believe in fouling, others don’t. Scott wanted good defense.
On this Lakers team, that is wishful thinking.
Next: Lakers Rumors: Ish Smith Deletes Tweet About Joining Lakers