The Los Angeles Lakers have been turnover-prone all series long against the Houston Rockets, but Sunday night's Game 4 was particularly sloppy for LA. The Lake Show finished with 23 turnovers on the night, looking like a team sorely missing its two primary ball-handlers.
LeBron James knows that he's supposed to be the de facto point guard with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, and he also knows that he wasn't good enough as a ball-handler on Sunday. He admitted this plainly in the postgame presser, taking full accountability for the Lakers' turnover-heavy performance, which resulted in a 115-96 loss.
LeBron took full blame for Lakers' turnover disaster in Game 4
"We had a few turnovers, which was our kryptonite tonight," LeBron said. "We have to protect the ball versus them, not have too many pick-sixes, which we did all night. It started with me, obviously. My turnovers were unacceptable, but [we'll] do a better job with that on Wednesday."
LeBron led the Lakers with eight turnovers. Marcus Smart had four, and Luke Kennard and Deandre Ayton each had two. LA has been turning the ball over at a high rate all series long, but the Lakers have been assisting and making 3s at high rates, too, which has disguised the problem.
On Sunday in Houston, that disguise didn't quite play for LA. The Lake Show went 5-of-22 from 3 and didn't register more assists (23) than turnovers. What's more, the Lakers' most reliable offensive weapon on the evening, Ayton (yes, not a typo), was unfairly ejected in the middle of the third quarter.
Lakers compounded turnover issue with low energy against Rockets
It really wasn't the Lakers' night, regardless of how bad the officiating was. LA didn't fight with nearly enough energy required to eliminate a young and hungry Rockets team just trying to avoid complete embarrassment on their home floor. Houston decided it wasn't going to go down quietly in the night, and the Lakers weren't on the same competitive level, not even close.
Game 5 must see the Lakers attack things with a refreshed approach and energy, and LeBron's comments foreshadow this happening. By taking immediate accountability, James expedited the process of digesting the frustrating loss and allowed his club to move on to the next assignment right away. It was good leadership from a legend who has shown it all season long.
The Lakers have thrived with a "next play" mentality in this series -- it's what won them Game 3. Now, they'll have to treat Game 5 like a do-or-die situation in order to put the Rockets out of their misery and set up what looks like will be an epic second-round matchup against the defending champs.
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