Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in last-second loss to Miami Heat

The Los Angeles Lakers played the Miami Heat in an “NBA Finals” rematch on Saturday night. The Miami Heat won the game while the Lakers keep the rings. Despite all of the drama that was going on in Los Angeles, the big news that will linger all week long resides in Houston!

Lake Show Life breaks down what else happened in Lake Show Life Lessons! The only Los Angeles Lakers extended post-game report with in-depth analysis and highlights.

Somewhere there are NBA and ESPN/ABC TV executives that were sleeping with huge smiles on their faces. The Los Angeles Lakers are officially back in the spotlight. Not only on the hardwood against the Miami Heat in an NBA Finals” rematch, but in NBA rumor mills as well.

But first the game… WOW!

• LeBron James stole the inbounds pass intended for Jimmy Butler with 5.4 seconds left.
• Alex Caruso passes it upcourt to James and got a return pass for a potential game-tying shot that missed.
• Previously, LeBron James passed the ball to Wesley Matthews Jr. for a 3 pointer that missed with 20 seconds left. 

The debates on if the Los Angeles Lakers’ title chances are in jeopardy have officially started with a 96-94 loss to the Miami Heat. The Lakers have now lost two straight and three of their last four games since Anthony Davis got injured.

Lake Show Life will leave the debate if LeBron was scared to take the last shots for the comment section. Let’s deal with what the media will be asking until Dennis Schroder comes back on Friday as planned.

Does LeBron James need more help from his teammates or is he not giving the Lakers enough production?

Depends on who you ask. ESPN got it from both sides after the game.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 

"“I feel like the last couple games that’s been happening, putting a lot on Bron,” Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said after the game. “We already know what we’re going to get out of him. So all the rest of us, we’ve got to continue to just play hard and just play basketball and not worry about anything else.”"

LeBron James:

"“I think that’s what it all boils down to, and right now is another challenge for me, to be able to adjust,” James said. “Not having AD for a long period of time is something that we haven’t had over the last year and a half, and now it’s time for me to adjust again and see ways I can be even more effective to help this team win ballgames. Because that is the sport that we’re in. “We’re in the winning business, and I’ve always been a winner. So, it’s time to click into that.”"

At any rate, the Los Angeles Lakers are 22-9 overall and fell to the third seed in the Western Conference. The next game will be Monday against the Washington Wizards, but the week will be more about the rumors coming out of Houston swirling around the Lake Show.

First, Shams Charania rocked the NBA news cycle reporting that the Houston Rockets and DeMarcus Cousins were going their separate ways.

Not to be outdone, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported during on ESPN’s NBA Countdown, the Lakers also are looking hard at P.J. Tucker. Here’s his quote via Silver Screen and Roll.

"“The Lakers have been active. I know they’ve made calls about some wing players to see if there is some shooting available out there. Another player they’re interested in: P.J. Tucker, from the Houston Rockets. There’s a lot of interest among contenders in Tucker, who’s in the last year of his deal. The Miami Heat, who the Lakers play tonight, Milwaukee, Brooklyn, several others. One thing I’m told is that Houston wants back not picks, but a player that they can plug back into their lineup.”"

Lake Show Life has criticized Dennis Schroder basically all season long, but the last two games have made it clear to all Lakers fans how much he is worth. The Los Angeles Lakers need Dennis Schroder back in the lineup in the worst way. Without him, the Lakers’ offense really struggles with playmaking without LeBron James and other than Kyle Kuzma, nobody else can create their own shot.

Add those problems with the issues everyone knows about.

• The Lakers still can’t shoot from behind the 3-point line (28.3 percent). 
• The interior defense is still an issue. Miami outscored the Lakers 52-38 in the paint and outrebounded them 49-43.

Buckle up Lakers fans, the Lake Show Life staff is going to be very busy this week!

To the new Los Angeles Lakers fans that are checking us out for the first time, welcome to Lake Show Life Lessons. Our extended post-game report with video analysis will cover the progress for the Los Angeles Lakers the entire season!

Over the next several pages we will provide highlights of certain players and coaches. Afterward, the comment section is loaded with knowledgeable fans adding their basketball knowledge. We usually start with the stars.

Let’s get to Lesson One to find out who!