Lakers are still finding themselves after 31 games, a task complicated by injuries that have depleted their rotation for much of the season.
They lack a protective personality. They were not a physical team, an overly athletic team, or a fast team.
The Lakers have taken a closer look at a team that embodies all of these characteristics. defeat 128-106 at the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Coach JJ Redick admitted the Lakers are still trying to figure out who they are and how they can solve their problems after losing for the fourth time in five games.
Lakers star LeBron James was fouled by Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) in the first half on Tuesday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
“The players, the staff, all of us really tried to play the right way every night and have the right intentions,” Redick said. “The flow of lineups, rotations and all this has been difficult for everyone, not just the coaches. It's a challenge for the players. And building an identity is difficult.”
“I think it’s hard to understand with this team right now.”
It was hard because the beginning Austin Reeves (calf) and Rui Hachimura (calf) dropped out. Key rotation player Gabe Vincent (back) is also missing. Besides, LeBron James missed the first 14 games due to sciatica.
The Lakers' lineup has only been fully healthy in two games this season.
“We have some really important guys coming out now,” said James, who scored 17 points on his 41st birthday. “So it's really hard to get that rhythm of chemistry on the court with guys you know you're going to be playing with every night. Guys you know are going to come in with subs and models and things like that.”
“But it's still no excuse. We still have to go out and execute, and I think we did that tonight. I thought, like I said, there were too many turnovers, but we showed up, we played hard, we executed. The better team won tonight.”
One thing the Lakers (20-11) haven't done much all season is play high-level defense.
That was the case for the Pistons (25-8), who shot 63% from the field and 46% from 3-point range. They had 74 points in the paint and penetrated easily. They also had 31 fast-break points. The Lakers had 21 turnovers, eight of which came from Luka Doncicscoring 30 points and 11 assists.
“We have to definitely match their physicality,” Doncic said. “That's the whole point. We have to match the way they play.”
The Lakers' 11 losses came by an average of 20.3 points per game.
The Lakers improved defensively in the third quarter. After giving up 36 points in the first quarter and 34 in the second, the Lakers gave up 26 points in the third and lost 96-88.
But they fell apart in the fourth quarter, going on an 18-6 run that left them trailing by 20 points midway through the quarter. During that span, the Lakers turned the ball over six times, prompting Redick to call a timeout with six minutes left.
That still didn't stop the Pistons from gaining a 26-point lead and getting closer to victory.
“Yeah, I think we just let the rope go a little bit,” Doncic said. “Like I said, I thought we played good basketball for three quarters, physical basketball. We just kind of let go of the rope.”
Lakers guard Luka Doncic (right) accidentally hit Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (5) in the face after Holland made a second-half interception Tuesday night.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
