Los Angeles – The Lakers can’t hit outside shots. That was evident after LA threw his 3 to 9-for-45 in a 103-97 loss to the Clippers on Thursday night. That total somehow managed to be even worse than the Lakers’ 40-for-10 clip.
nevertheless lebron james After the Warriors’ game, he candidly lamented his team’s lack of a “laser” on its roster, but even after the Lakers went 0-for-9 on 3-pointers in the 4th quarter, he made that point on Thursday. I didn’t add a refrain.
“I’m not going to sit here and argue about not being able to do it every game,” James said when asked about the team’s increasing number of mistakes. We can protect our butts. We did it tonight and gave us a chance to win…”
The Lakers held the Clippers, one of the odds-maker favorites to win the NBA title, to just 103 points and 80 total shots, and the Lakers’ on-ball pressure forced the Clippers to make 22 turnovers. rice field.
James assured reporters that Los Angeles’ shooting would improve, but added that it wouldn’t be the winning formula the team relies on.
“If we depend [sufficient outside shooting] Every game we have problems,” James said. It’s how hard we play, how aggressive we play, and the determination to go out and compete every night. And we must protect. When defending, we give ourselves a good chance to win. “
The entire team admitted that the Lakers shot themselves in the leg because they were so off, but they can’t hold back their open looks.
“Don’t lose confidence with missed shots” Anthony Davis, while the rest of LA’s starters went 5-for-29, he went 3-2-4. “Keep shooting, shoot with confidence, and they’ll fall. There’s nothing you can do, just keep shooting.”
Coach Durbin Hamm said the Lakers’ analytics department determined the team had made more quality shot attempts than any of the other three teams that played on opening night. He added to his belief that it was a shot his team should take.
After the game, Hamm was asked if the shot could be open because the opposing defense is jamming the lanes and blocking drive opportunities, forcing the Lakers to take bold shots.
“I think you can say that,” said Hamm. “But I mean, we have to take care of our business. That’s how we want to do it. If they want to give us those shots, we’re going to do it.” We take it wholeheartedly.I mean, that’s the way we want it.We want to play fast, physically and freely.
“And you also see them making shots in practice and shootarounds. They had to do it on the game floor. It’s as simple as that.”
lakers guard Russell Westbrook Thursday’s shooting night was particularly difficult, going 0-11 overall (including 3 to 0-6), but even his night was defended by James.
“Just flush it down the toilet and get ready for Sunday.” “He’s a veteran. We’ve all had bad shooting nights. He picked up the tempo. it’s alright.”
Westbrook, who finished with five steals, four assists and just one turnover aside from a missed shot, was also looking forward to his next game against the Portland Trail Blazers when asked to rate his performance.
“I’m solid,” he said of his night. “I played hard. Everything you could ask for. Moving on.”
