Lakers efforts not enough versus Suns
PHOENIX — With 23 games left, the margin for error becomes smaller and smaller as the Lakers dropped to 31–28 after their 123–113 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
“Super slow start for us offensively and defensively. You give a team 45 points in a quarter; you play an uphill battle, especially if you're not scoring 45,” LeBron James said.
The Lakers can’t rely on facing easier-win teams, such as the Spurs, every game. Instead, they encountered a playoff-caliber Suns team and struggled to keep up, appearing flat-footed and trailing throughout most of the game.
Adding to their woes, star big man Anthony Davis delivered a lackluster performance, managing only four points in the first half. He picked it up in the second half, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but it was all too late, as L.A. had no answer to Phoenix’s offensive.
The Suns starting unit combined for 105 points, with four of their five starters scoring 20 or more points.
Although the free throw discrepancy was lopsided—Lakers shooting eight free throws and Phoenix shooting 19—it wasn’t the tell-all of the loss, with L.A. surrendering 45 points in the first quarter and allowing 14 offensive rebounds that led to 22 second-chance points for the Suns.
LeBron finished the second straight game, leading the team in scoring with 28 points (30 vs. Spurs), 12 assists, and seven rebounds.
Head coach Darvin Ham was adamant about the inconsistent whistle from the officials; one example came in the second half when LeBron was called for holding Kevin Durant on a backdoor pass, which forced Ham to use a challenge, which was quickly overturned and successful.
“I’m not one to use referees as an excuse, but it’s becoming increasingly tough because of the inconsistency. I’m seeing our guys get the same contact on them as we’re committing, and the whistle is not being blown,” Ham said.
D’Angelo Russell finished third in scoring behind LeBron and Davis, scoring 20 points on 4-of-8 (50%) shooting from three and 8-for-14 (57%) overall.
In the absence of four key rotation players due to injury, the Lakers rely on their bench players to step up. The bench fell short in generating production, managing only 16 points collectively.
Spencer Dinwiddie (3 points, 1-for-5) and Taurean Prince (8 points, 3-for-10) saw most of the bench minutes as Coach Ham used a seven-man rotation most of the game.
The Lakers will return home for the first of their next seven home games in a battle for Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Clippers are 37-18 and currently sit in third in the Western Conference.
