The Los Angeles Lakers’ Achilles heel was further exposed in the 111-98 loss to the rival Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. It was a nightmare matchup for Luka Doncic and company. The Celtics play fast, fire threes, and keep the opposition out of the paint. It proved disastrous on the day the Lakers unveiled Pat Riley’s statue because LA's star trio struggled to make shots.
Lakers fans know this is not the franchise’s ideal roster. They lack the defense and shooting to be a serious title threat. Los Angeles plans to start building their roster around Luka this summer. Until then, this mismatched group can’t beat the best teams in the NBA and will struggle against any squad that plays a problematic style for their roster that lacks athleticism.
Number 77 gives LA a puncher’s chance, but not against teams like the Celtics. Boston ran them out of the gym on Sunday. Whenever they pushed the pace or got into the paint, it resulted in an easy bucket. The Lakers' stars struggled to make shots, but even a hot night would have resulted in a loss.
Celtics further prove Lakers can’t beat teams that play fast and attack the paint
Lakers fans have long known this is a flawed roster. They don’t have a rim protector and lack the perimeter defenders to get stops. Boston was physical and forcing LA out of their comfort zone. The Lakers had the early lead, but things quickly shifted toward the Celtics and never went back the other way.
Los Angeles needed multiple pieces if they were going to seriously contend this season. Doncic was rumored to be onboard with the team’s plan. The Lakers will have more assets in the offseason and cap space. It is time to remake their roster into a title contender.
The bad news for LA is this will be a quick postseason exit. The Lakers have no chance against the Thunder, Spurs, Rockets, or Suns in the playoffs. Those teams all play fast, force the Lakers to make jumpers, and will attack the paint. Los Angeles simply has zero answers in those situations.
Deandre Ayton can't protect the rim, and Jaxson Hayes was injured in the first quarter. The Lakers tried to go small, but that was also disastrous against the Celtics. Head coach JJ Redick doesn't have the answer on his roster.
It was not LA’s night. Luka, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves combined for 60 points, but it took them 53 field goal attempts to get there. The Lakers had to play better offensively and were even worse defensively. The nightmare matchup was to blame as Boston exploited Los Angeles’ flaws with surgical precision.
The Los Angeles Lakers are fighting to make the playoffs. They are just two games ahead of the Suns for the final guaranteed spot in the Western Conference. The Lakers need a strong close to secure the berth, but they won’t last long in the postseason. Someone will quickly exploit their Achilles heel and send the purple and gold packing.