After getting off to a solid start, the Los Angeles Lakers are currently in a rough patch. Here are the most telling stats from their ongoing seven game losing streak
Jumping out to a 10-10 start over the course of their first 20 games, it seemed like the Purple and Gold had finally turned a corner. Luke Walton had his young Lakers playing an exciting brand of basketball that fans had waited patiently for the past three years to see.
However, since their last win on November 30, Los Angeles has dropped seven straight games, many in embarrassing fashion.
Before looking to turn it around against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday afternoon, let’s take a look at the most telling stats from their losing streak.
Games Missed to Injury
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This doesn’t excuse how awful the team has been playing as of late but the Lakers’ players have missed over 20 games due to injury in the past seven contests alone.
With D’Angelo Russell, Nick Young, Jose Calderon, Larry Nance Jr and Tarik Black all missing time, rotations, or lack thereof, have definitely proven to be a problem for first year coach, Luke Walton and his coaching staff. This became even more apparent when Walton was ejected from the contest against the Sacramento Kings and Brian Shaw was required to take the reins.
Again, it’s not a good enough reason to account for how poorly the team has been struggling as of late but it’s definitely worth noting.
Defense, Defense, Defense
During this seven game skid, LA has been outscored by an average margin of 115.7 to 99.3, though the number does get inflated by the blowout losses to the Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings.
One glaring issue has been the team’s inability to stop opponents from dominating them in the paint, as the Lakers are dead last in that category per TeamRankings.com.
Further, the Purple and Gold have continued their trend of making average point guards look like superstars giving up 31 points to Troy Daniels, 30 to Eric Bledsoe, 25 to Derrick rose and 20 to Darren Collison. That said, if LA wants to buck this losing trend, they definitely need to find a way to corral opposing guards.
Turnover Issues
Raptors (16), Grizzlies (18), Jazz (10) , Rockets (27), Suns (15), Knicks (14), Kings (19)
During their seven game skid, the Lakers’ turnover margin has been atrocious, giving away the rock more than their opponents in all but two games. Seeing that the Lakers already have trouble stopping teams in the half court, it should come as no surprise how they’re fairing after turning the ball over.
Sadly, LA has just been careless with the ball. Many of their giveaways are simply due to lazy or telegraphed passes and simple mental mistakes that are easily avoidable. I can’t count how many times during this losing streak I’ve seen Jordan Clarkson jump into the air only to come down with the ball and be called for a travel.
Especially during this road trip, cutting down turnovers is an easy way to help get the team back in the winning column.
On the Bright Side
Looking on the bright side, Lou Williams has been on an absolute tear over the course of the past six or so games. Luol Deng has also done his best to pick up the pace and prove his doubters wrong scoring 22 and 16 points in the past two contests.
Los Angeles can only control so many things, and with a winnable stretch of road games coming up, Luke Walton needs to figure out what to prioritize in order to keep their early season Playoff hopes alive.
Next: Lakers Drop Seventh Straight in Sacramento
Be sure to tune in as the Purple and Gold take on the even worse Brooklyn Nets, Wednesday in New York to see what adjustments the team makes.