3. Slow starts
In each of the five games the Lakers have played so far in February, they’ve given up at least 30 points in the first quarter, including 38 to Atlanta and 39 to Philly. They’ve also given up at least 63 points by halftime in each of those games.
Against the Sixers, they surrendered 76 points, and against Atlanta, who is ranked 19th in points per game, they gave up 65. Even worse, they allowed 69 points in the first half to the Indiana Pacers, a team that ranks 22nd in scoring and is 25th in pace.
I don’t care how great you are on offense. You can’t expect to win that much when you keep giving up 65+ at the half.
During this long layoff for the All-Star break, the purple and gold need to center themselves and recommit themselves as a team to playing the kind of defense we became accustomed to seeing from them for much of the first half of the season.
If they do that, with their ability to up-tempo the game and score in transition, as well as the acquisition of 3-point sniper Reggie Bullock, they should also be able to improve on their 21st ranking in offensive efficiency.