Lakers Struggle to Score: Analyzing Their Recent Offensive Woes
The Lakers face a scoring drought, raising questions about their offensive strategy and player performance in recent games
Lakers, NBA, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, Minneapolis, USA
Minneapolis: The Lakers have hit a rough patch lately, and it’s been tough to watch. Austin Reaves stood there, microphone in hand, trying to explain why the team can’t seem to score. It’s not like they’ve been bad all season; they were actually pretty good at putting points on the board early on.
In their first 15 games, they scored over 110 points 12 times. But now? They’ve struggled to hit that mark in eight of their last ten games. So, what’s going on?
Reaves said it’s a good question, and honestly, it’s not just one thing. At the start of the season, they were shooting well from three-point range and getting to the free-throw line a lot. But now, their three-point shooting has dropped to barely 30%, and they’re not getting to the line nearly as much.
He mentioned that it’s frustrating when things aren’t going well. The team is trying to figure out how to get back to what worked for them earlier. Reaves missed five games due to an injury, and that definitely hurt their offense. He’s one of their best players, and without him, they’ve struggled.
Even with him back, the Lakers’ offensive issues are becoming more obvious. Other teams have figured out how to defend them, pushing them off their cuts and making it hard for them to get good shots. It’s a tough spot, showing some weaknesses in their roster.
Then there’s LeBron James. He’s the all-time leading scorer, but lately, he hasn’t been moving as much on offense. He’s been dealing with some fatigue and adjusting to the team’s new system. Maybe once he’s fully healthy, he can help spark the offense again.
D’Angelo Russell is another player to watch. He’s been trying to play the right way, but his numbers have taken a hit. With free agency coming up, it’s possible he might start playing more for himself to boost his value.
The Lakers know they have issues to address. Coach Redick is committed to getting the team in the gym more often as their schedule eases up. But with frustration building, it’s clear they need to find a way to score.
Anthony Davis summed it up well: they’re getting good looks but just can’t seem to make the shots. Confidence is key, but it’s hard to feel confident when the ball isn’t going in the hoop.
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.