Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets: 3 Takeaways from 115-110 loss

– Bench makes an impact

One of the noticeable differences in the game was the bench play. While the Lakers have a very strong bench at full strength, they were without three normal rotation players on Tuesday, and that makes an impact on the bench.

Against the Wizards, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a big game, but we didn’t see anyone score in double figures for the Lakers off their bench in this game. The Lakers ran a pretty tight rotation, as only KCP and Lance Stephenson played over 10 minutes off the bench.

For the Nets, their bench provided them a huge boost. With a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Spencer Dinwiddie, the Nets generally win the bench battle. Against the Lakers, Dinwiddie scored 18 points to lead the way off the bench. In addition to Dinwiddie, the Nets also got strong games from DeMarre Carroll and Jared Dudley.

Both players scored in double figures and Dudley had a great fourth quarter to help secure the win. Even though Dudley is averaged less than five points per game, he was one of the deciding factors late.

The Nets’ bench outscored the Lakers’ by quite a bit and it made a big difference. When the Lakers get healthy, it will luckily strengthen a bench that is rather thin right now.