The Lakers underwent some soul-searching at follow Saturday, with coach JJ Redick beginning the dialog earlier than permitting gamers to talk freely in regards to the workforce’s points.
It was an try by Redick and the workforce to forestall issues from spiraling uncontrolled after three consecutive losses.
When the Lakers confronted the Sacramento Kings on Sunday evening at Crypto.com Enviornment, Redick needed to see gamers executing on protection and enjoying tougher.
The Lakers did precisely that, with Luka Doncic and LeBron James main the way in which to a 125-101 win.
For the Lakers, it was greater than Doncic ending with 34 factors, seven assists and 5 rebounds. It was Doncic enjoying protection, illustrated greatest when he blocked a shot by DeMar DeRozan. It was Doncic hustling, similar to when he dove to the ground for a unfastened ball.
It was greater than James scoring 24 factors and handing out 5 assists. It was James throwing down a reverse dunk and providing phrases of knowledge to teammates.
And it additionally was reserve Nick Smith Jr. discovering a job within the rotation and producing, one of many six Lakers scoring in double figures. Smith had 21 factors on eight-for-14 capturing, making 5 of 10 threes.
Rui Hachimura had 12 factors, Deandre Ayton had 11 factors and 11 rebounds, and Jake LaRavia had 11 factors.
Lakers star Luka Doncic controls the ball in entrance of Sacramento Kings heart Maxime Raynaud in the course of the first half Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Occasions)
The Lakers (20-10) took management from the beginning of the third quarter, happening a 13-2 run to present them a 26-point lead that reached as excessive as 30 within the fourth quarter.
Granted, the Kings (8-24) have the second-worst file within the West and had been lacking injured stars Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Bradley, three of their high 4 scorers.
However the Lakers misplaced three straight video games due to poor protection and an total effort that Redick described as “horrible.”
And with Austin Reaves out for a minimum of a month due to a calf pressure, getting the possibility to speak by their points may find yourself altering the workforce’s fortunes.
Lakers star LeBron James reacts throughout a win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Occasions)
“They’re making an attempt, and you realize, I instructed the blokes, that is regular,” Redick stated. “There’s only a few groups that don’t hit troughs all through the season. It’s not all peaks. … It’s only a pure cycle that each workforce goes by.
“So we have to determine the issues after which give you the options. In order that’s simply the method that we’re in the course of proper now.”
