Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Things that must be improved to make NBA Playoffs

(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

– Hit free throws

One of the most frustrating things about the Lakers this season has been their free-throw shooting. Last season, free-throw shooting was a weakness of the Lakers, and it has carried over to this season.

As a team, the Lakers are ranked dead last in free-throw percentage this season. At just 68.7 percent on the season, it has been painful watching the Lakers shoot free throws this season, and it has cost them games. Considering the Lakers are shooting 23.6 free throws per game, they are leaving a lot of points at the foul line.

If the Lakers had a poor free-throw shooter like Dwight Howard or Shaquille O’Neal on the team, the free throw percentage would have been understandable. However, the Lakers are just simply an awful free-throw shooting team.

As the season rolls on, the Lakers will have to make more free-throws to close out games against good teams. A little more focus and practice at the charity stripe could go a long way for the Lakers.

James and Ingram are the two players that attempt the most free-throws for the Lakers per game, but they are both shooting under 70 percent. Both are capable of being much better at the line, and the Lakers will need them to be in the final 25 games.