3 changes Lakers must desperately make to get past Grizzlies
By Jason Reed
![MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half against David Roddy #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.at FedExForum on April 19, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half against David Roddy #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.at FedExForum on April 19, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e48c77d8ab645d5ac844f456b58d4348761ec9d40d79724836eba861b6690b7a.jpg)
3. Lakers need to take more threes
This is naturally going to be a byproduct of running the offense more through Reaves and less through Davis. This is the widespread philosophy that the Lakers need to be buying into in this series. Instead of going to the hole and settling for mid-range jumpers, Los Angeles needs to take more threes.
The Lakers don’t have to turn into the Golden State Warriors as that does not fully fit their game but they need to take more threes than they took in Game 2 of this series. Los Angeles only shot 26 threes in the Game 2 loss. That is simply not enough in today’s NBA and there is a reason why LA only scored 93 points in this game.
Compare that metric to Game 1 of this series. Los Angeles took 37 threes and made 16 of them. In the play-in the team took 31 threes and made 10 of them. Sure, those were better shooting nights from three, but the Lakers are not going to make more threes if they do not take them.
There are going to be nights where the shot doesn’t seem like it is falling but that does not mean the Lakers should go completely away from the three game. As long as the Lakers are getting open looks, which they have proven they can do this season, then there is no reason to fall below 30 threes per game.
Memphis is not a great three-point shooting team and the Lakers need to take advantage of that. Sure, it might not completely fit what LA typically does, but the best teams in the league are the ones that can mold their play style to their opponents.
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