Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from loss against the Portland Trail Blazers

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Three Point and Free Throw Shooting Struggles

The Lakers have been one of the most dominant teams in the paint this year. In fact, they lead the league with 53.8 points in the paint per game. Unfortunately, however, the team ranks incredibly low in all other offensive categories. More importantly, the team ranks dead last in three-point and free throw shooting percentages.

On Saturday, those storylines continued to hold true. The Lakers controlled the paint with 50 points, but continued to struggle from the three and the charity stripe. They shot 32 percent on 25 attempts from deep, while 60 percent on 20 attempts from the line.

When looking deeper into these stats there is even more cause for concern. For the Lakers’ starting five there was only player – Kyle Kuzma – to attempt and make free throws. As for the bench, only two out of seven players – Jordan Clarkson and Corey Brewer – attempted any three pointers. Moreover, only one player was able to connect on any of those attempts.

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