Los Angeles Lakers: Reasons for their recent losing streak

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers coaches against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers coaches against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 16: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Miami Heat on March 16, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Isaiah Thomas’ Struggles

Isaiah Thomas has played admirably for the Lakers. He has averaged 15.6 PPG and 5.2 APG in the purple and gold, even though his future with the team more than likely ends after this season. He is a shooter at heart, and with being a shooter, Isaiah is going to have some really good games and then some really bad games.

A couple of his worst games has happened in the past two games. In the 93-92 loss to the Miami Heat, Isaiah shot 1-for-9 from the field with only 5 points and 3 turnovers. He could have diverted attention to that bad stat line by sinking the game-winning shot, but ultimately missed it. He followed that game up with a 4-for-14 performance from the field in the 110-100 loss against the Indiana Pacers.

As I said before, Isaiah is going to have his ups-and-downs being such a streaky shooter. Those “downs” can’t happen often, and definitely can’t be so bad that he almost goes 0-for-10. Isaiah is such a defensive liability, so he has to score around his 15.6 PPG average with the Lakers to be useful on the floor.

It’s hard to believe he will have a 3rd bad shooting night in a row, but he will have his hands full on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Last time they played, Isaiah and Rajon Rondo got into it and both ended up getting ejected. Hopefully Isaiah stays away from the extra curricular activities, and focuses on shooting.

Next: Ranking the 50 greatest Lakers of all-time

Hopefully Lonzo and Isaiah can turn their performances around, but don’t be confused. This losing streak revolves around the team being young and limited without Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart. Hart won’t be back for at least another week, but hopefully the Lakers get Ingram back on Saturday to turn things around.

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