Lakers dismantled by Nets in disappointing loss
The Lakers started hot with a six-point lead at the half and finished cold in the second half, leading to a 16-point, 130-112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in front of a sold-out Crypto crowd on Friday.
L.A.’s effort and execution went downhill in the second half after a strong first half were they led by as many as 12 points, letting Brooklyn pick them apart with no countermeasure and get outscored 68–44.
“It’s over for the excuses. We got to play basketball,” head coach Darvin Ham said, voicing his frustration over the loss.
The disappointing loss drops their record back below .500 to 21—22 in their third loss in five games.
The Lakers struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, with numerous misses in multiple sequences while failing to stop Brooklyn’s hot hand, Cam Thomas.
Thomas gave L.A.’s defense problems throughout the night, shooting 72.2% from the field on 13-of-18 for 33 points off the bench.
The Nets shot 40.4% from three on 19 made threes and 47 attempts. Brooklyn’s high rhythm led to a high efficiency from the field for 52.6% (50–95) overall.
“I thought we were a step slow at times getting to their shooters. They shot the ball well,” LeBron James said. “They just broke us down all game, especially in that second half.”
The struggles with missing make-able shots hurt the Lakers’ momentum, which showed throughout the fourth quarter with a noticeable low-energy effort.
“Our defense was terrible in the third quarter, especially and second half overall,” Anthony Davis said.
Davis mentioned that a big part of their lackluster night was their lack of miscommunication.
Davis scored a team-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting while grabbing 12 rebounds and six assists.
LeBron struggled from the field on a 9-for-22 (40.9%) shooting night with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt were the only other productive performers, with Russell scoring 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting and Vanderbilt adding 12 points and five rebounds on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field off the bench.
Russell gave cryptic praise to Brooklyn’s head coach, Jacque Vaughn, complimenting his adjustments in playcalling and putting players in good positions.
“Obviously, Jacque Vaughn’s a hell of a coach. He’s drawing up sets and putting them in position to take advantage of any miscommunication or mishap on our end,” Russell said.
The trade talks surrounding the Lakers point guard have intensified daily as the trade deadline looms on Feb. 8.
The Lakers remain at home in their next scheduled matchup on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. against the 11–29 Portland Trail Blazers.
