The Lakers turned the other cheek • Basket USA

At least Los Angeles has shown consistency. For the second consecutive game, the Lakers conceded 127 points. Against the Suns on Tuesday, Los Angeles had obviously not learned the lesson learned by Denver on Sunday. Beaten by 27 points, they suffered some of the same ills, for an even more damaging result. This defeat against Phoenix jeopardizes their chances of qualifying for the rest of the NBA Cup, and therefore of defending their title.

The first resumption match between Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant offered an opportunity for the Angelinos to revive themselves against a direct competitor. But JJ Redick’s players missed out, with a feeling of déjà vu.

However, there was improvement in the first period, balanced between the two teams, with the locals only returning to the locker room two points behind (60-62). But the 58.1% shooting could hardly last, and Los Angeles completely collapsed after returning from the locker room.

33-73 overall in the third quarter of the last two games…

« I think we had a better first period than the score shows » said JJ Redickbefore pointing the finger at the disastrous third quarter of his players. “ We lost the thread in attack and we didn’t make any stops to top it all off. […] I don’t know how many we ended up with, something like 7/26 from 3-point range in the second period (4/25 in reality, editor’s note). We had good positions but missing shots can have an effect on you, especially if you don’t defend on the other side« .

The defense. The word was on everyone’s lips after the match, while the Suns passed 65 points after the break, without particularly giving the impression of forcing, but mainly taking advantage of the Lakers’ communication errors, and individual bankruptcies.

« We haven’t been very good defensively these last two games against two very good attacks » lamented LeBron James at Spectrum SportsNet. To the point that JJ Redick admitted “ maybe need to rethink some things » in this sector of the game, « on what our strategies overall are » explained the technician from Los Angeles. “ They were able to do what they wanted » he insisted.

« No matter what our system is, we must go out into the field and apply it » for his part replied a LeBron James who was visibly frustrated and much less talkative than usual. “ We were just bad in the third quarter » reacted Austin Reaves. “We have a lot of things to review on video and correct: our shot selection, our ability to keep the ball. Defensively we need to be more aggressive and physical. »

The rest of the NBA Cup becomes very complicated

This 36-18 conceded in the third act is all the more problematic as it follows the 37-15 taken in the gums in Denver over the same period. And this time, it could have consequences beyond this evening. difficile » as JJ Redick called it. The Lakers are tied leads Group B of the Western Conference in the NBA Cuptied with their evening tormentor, and San Antonio, the three teams with two victories in three meetings before their last day. But Los Angeles now has a largely negative point difference of -16, compared to +19 to the Suns and +14 to the Spurs, who will face each other for their last match.

The winner of this opposition would take a serious option on first place, while Oklahoma City remains in ambush with a record of 1-1 and a game less to play against Utah. A Thunder, leader of the West, and last opponent of the Lakers, who now have more chances of qualifying as a “wild card”, a position currently held by the Mavericks with a point average of… +41.

So, on the side of the title holder, we are already thinking more about the rest of the season “ We are a team in a process » recalled LeBron James. “ When you’re a competitor, it’s almost impossible to step back while you’re getting kicked around. » assured Austin Reaves. “ But once it’s over, you settle down. We are still at 10 wins and 7 losses, we are in a good position.«