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Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball’s shooting slump continues vs New Orleans Pelicans

By Kenneth Teape

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 110-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 110-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball saw his shooting struggles continue on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Los Angeles Lakers have fallen into a bit of a slump recently. Thursday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans was their fourth consecutive loss after they had won eight of their previous 10 games.

A reason for the slump is injuries. Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart have both been sidelined. Ingram is dealing with a strained groin, while Hart fractured a bone in his left hand. The Lakers started out hot without them, but have hit the skids.

When you are hit by injuries you need other players to step up. One of those players the Lakers were hoping would take a step forward is Lonzo Ball. Unfortunately, that has not happened.

Ball is in a major shooting slump and it continued against the Pelicans. The game against the Pelicans marked the sixth consecutive game that he shot 27.3 percent or worse from the field. The Pelicans dared Ball to shoot the ball and he willing did it. Unfortunately, he didn’t connect on many.

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Ball was 1-of-12 from distance against the Pelicans. Three of the last four Lakers’ shots in the game were Ball attempts from 3-point land that he missed. New Orleans was happy to let Ball launch from deep and their strategy worked.

The over-reliance on the 3-point shot is part of the reason for Ball’s struggles. Ball is attacking the defense but is reluctant to take shots at the rim, rather passing the ball out to teammates on the perimeter.

It is nice to see Ball getting his teammates involved, but sometimes taking a shot at the time would be beneficial. Seeing the ball go through the net a few times and getting some easy baskets should help Ball get his confidence up in games.

Over the past seven games, Ball is 7-of-48 from the 3-point line. Over that same time span, he is 21-of-83 overall. That means 57.8 percent of Ball’s shot attempts the last seven games have come from behind the 3-point line. For someone in a shooting slump, that is a difficult way to get going.

The foul line hasn’t been kind to Ball either. In the last seven games, he is 3-for-9. Nothing is coming easy for him recently and he is in a serious slump. His free throw shooting is something he recently discussed as an area that he was going to work on improving. At this point in time, Ball looks like he could use some work in every facet of shooting.

While Ball has struggled mightily, he has been producing elsewhere. Credit should be given that he has not allowed his struggles offensively to sap his production in other areas.

Next: Reasons Why The Lakers Are On A Losing Streak

While his shooting numbers are poor, Ball is still averaging 7.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists, 1.0 blocks and 2.1 steals per game. That is great production, which helps offset the poor shooting numbers.

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