3 ways the Los Angeles Lakers can improve against title contenders

It almost felt like déjà vu. After back-to-back losses for the first time this season, the Los Angeles Lakers redeemed themselves Saturday night in a nerve-wracking finish against their rival the Boston Celtics. The Lakers now improve to 11-2 on the road and 15-6 overall.

It almost happened again, an epic fourth-quarter comeback to be almost spoiled by a last-minute game-winning shot. Four nights ago, Philadelphia hit that game-winning shot, but tonight in Boston, luckily for the Lakers, Kemba Walker missed, and the Lakers came away with the 96-95 win.

Within the past four days, the Lakers have played three games, two of which were against potential title contenders, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. The Lakers showed their vulnerabilities against both teams and even though they came away with a win there’s still room for improvement.

So far this season the Lakers are 2-2 against potential title contenders with wins against the Bucks and Celtics and losses to the Clippers and 76ers. If the Lakers want to repeat this season, they’re going to need more consistent against the better teams in the league.

Here are three ways the Los Angeles Lakers can improve against potential title contenders:

3. The Los Angeles Lakers simply need to be better at the free-throw line

The Lakers are 11th in the league at free throws attempted per game but currently rank 21st in free throw percentage. That’s a problem that needs to be fixed especially if you’re losing by single digits.

In the 76ers game, the Lakers shot 64% at the free-throw line. In the Celtics, game they shot 68% at the free-throw line. Anthony Davis is shooting a career-low in free throw percentage after shooting a career-best last season.

The Lakers need to be more effective at the free-throw line if they plan on winning back-to-back championships.

2. The Los Angeles Lakers’ big men need to be more consistent on both ends of the floor

After missing Thursday’s game in Detroit, Anthony Davis returned from a quad injury in all-star form. In Boston, David had 27 points and 14 rebounds. It was one of Davis’s better games this season even though he is averaging his lowest points per game since the 2013-2014 season.

Even though Davis has played well for most of the season, he is also averaging his lowest rebounds per game and blocks per game since his rookie season.

Marc Gasol has had a slow start to the season and had a rough game against Joel Embiid and the 76ers. Gasol is also averaging a career-low in points, minutes and rebounds per game. Gasol seemed like an exciting signing this offseason but he still hasn’t found his groove on the offensive end and it seems he has lost his step on the defensive end.

Montrezl Harrell also had a rough game against the 76ers with zero points and four turnovers. Harrell needs to be more patient, stay out of foul trouble and let the offense come to him.

1. The Los Angeles Lakers need to get the lead and then hold the lead

The Lakers can’t afford to be a one-half team. In the 76ers loss, the Lakers gave up 34 points in the first quarter. Philadelphia also held the lead for 45 minutes total time.

In the Pistons loss, Detroit held the lead for 28 minutes total time. Long story short, the Lakers can’t win if they’re losing for the majority of the game.

They need to come out strong, grab the lead early and not let up as they did against Boston. But hey, a win is a win and it might have been the best win of the year.