The Lakeshow Review

The Los Angeles Lakers returned to LA following a brief two-game road trip to take on the Miami Heat. LA has been playing good basketball as of late, and were able to sustain that level of quality versus the Heat, as they prevailed by a final score of 130-120. Both teams came into last night’s contest undermanned, with the Lakers’ LeBron James out with sciatica and Deandre Ayton also being ruled out at the last moment with back spasms. For the Heat, guards Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Norman Powell all sat due to injury. Miami are one of the hottest shooting teams in the NBA, and they also play at the fastest pace. They certainly gave the Lakers’ defense fits at times, but fortunately LA was able to tighten up in key moments, and do enough to pull out the win.

The Lakers made sure to step on the gas pedal early on, as they started the game on an 8-0 run. Marcus Smart was a catalyst, as his defensive activity, particularly his playing of the passing lanes, helped generate early turnovers to get the Lakers running. The pick-and-roll continues to be a featured item in LAs arsenal, and they got good results with both Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić feeding Jaxson Hayes (who started at center in place of Ayton). Thanks in part to some hot shooting, the Lakers grabbed a 43-36 lead after the first quarter.

Miami tightened things up to start the second quarter, as they decided to full-court press the Lakers on every inbounds play. This slowed down LAs offense, and prevented them from getting into their half-court sets early in the shot clock. For a while it proved effective, as Miami trimmed the Lakers’ lead. That was before Luka Dončić scored seven straight points, and helped push the lead back into double digits. Luka finished the game with 29 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. His third triple-double as a Laker. He did shoot poorly from the floor, going just 9-22 and a paltry 1-11 from three. His playmaking, however, was great and helped get his teammates involved. As a result, the Lakers took 77-63 lead at half.

Third quarter blues were once again an issue. as Miami’s relentless pace was able to generate easy looks at the rim, as they drove at will against the Lakers’ scrambling defense. The Heat were led by Jaime Jaquez Jr. who’s 31 points off the bench led all players. It seemed as though Miami’s furious pace would be able to get them the lead, as their constant cutting and off-ball movement gave LAs defense all sorts of trouble. But fortunately, the Lakers were able to slow the game down and play at their own pace. After getting outscored 35-25 in the third quarter, they were able to win the fourth quarter 28-22. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia were both instrumental to the team’s win. LaRavia scored 25 points, pulled down eight boards and dished three assists as a reserve. He also collected four steals. While Smart chipped in with 11 points, four assists and a pair of steals. Both players provide the energy and hustle that has given the Lakers an extra gear in these sorts of games. Their defensive intensity is crucial in pressuring the ball at the point of attack, generating turnovers and swinging the momentum back in LAs favor.

LAs offense looked good last night. We saw some new wrinkles on their ball screen actions. They started incorporating empty-side pick-and-rolls on the wing. The empty corner makes it so that there’s no natural help defender in that area, which makes helping on the roll man that much more difficult. Jaxson Hayes was able to take full advantage, as he was able to get quite a few easy baskets this way. Austin reaves also continues to impress a playmaker, particularly as an initiator on screening actions. His 11 assists were a game-high, in addition to his 26 points and four assists. AR continues to show why he’s one of the better number two options in basketball, whose playmaking keeps the offense flowing when Dončić is either playing off-ball or on the bench.

It was a very complete showing from LAs offense, which was their high point all night. They shot 50% from the field and 33% from three. They also dished 33 assists as a team, and turned the ball over just 12 times (to Miami’s 15). When the Lakers play this way, they certainly have the makngs of one of the better teams in the Western Conference. They still need work on the defensive side, however. Especially as far as their rotations and help defense at the basket, where Miami was able to take full advantage by winning the points in the paint battle 66-60. But moving forward, they are looking like a team that can compete against anyone, specifically when they are playing with the type of effort displayed last night. They’ll need to keep up that effort as they’ll swiftly travel to Portland to take on the Trailblazers, on the second night of a back-to-back. Games at Portland are always tough, but if the team keeps this tenacity and focus, a win is certainly within range. Until then, let’s hope they keep things rolling. Go Lakers.