It's always like that with the Lakers… It's when you think that they have finally launched their season, that they sign one of their worst performances. In this case, they lost 130 – 112 at home last night against the Nets who had only won one of their last ten matches!
The worst, perhaps, is that the Lakers started the meeting very well with a great Anthony Davis to sign a 9-1. The Lakers are skillful (65% shooting in the first quarter) and the gap already reaches 10 points after six minutes (19-9). D'Angelo Russell is very good, and Jarred Vanderbilt brings a plus, and the Lakers lead 37-28.
And then the machine seizes up. Against his former team, Lonnie Walker lets go, and Cam Thomas is untenable. There is suddenly more desire among these Nets on the verge of depression, while the Lakers play small. LeBron James crashes from afar, but there is no longer the enthusiasm of the first quarter, and at the break, the Nets are in contact (68-62).
Cam Thomas does what he wants!
Upon returning from the locker room, confirmation that the spring is broken for the Lakers. The attack is static, the rotations are slow, and the Claxton-Bridges duo goes 9-0 to take the lead (80-74). On the other side of the field, Dorian Finney-Smith covers LeBron, and Claxton dominates the air, as in this violent alley-oop (87-78). Very discreet for a month, Spencer Dinwiddie comes out of his box, and his 3-pointer gives 12 points in advance (93-81). Cam Thomas imitates him, with the mistake as a bonus. He does not put the And-1 but the Nets attack the last quarter with a 10-point lead (100-90).
We're waiting for a burst of pride from the Lakers, but it's a total void! Conversely, the Nets let go more like this two-man counterattack between Dennis Smith Jr. and Lonnie Walker. There is simply more desire on the Brooklyn side. Opposite, LeBron James struggles for the offensive rebound, but he does not put it in.
Result, the Nets escape and Walker even gives an 18-point lead (113-95) with nine minutes remaining. We are still waiting for a jump from the Davis-LeBron tandem, but it never comes and Cam Thomas reaches the 20 point gap (123-120) five minutes from the end. Behind, LeBron puts his foot in touch. It's a nightmare evening, and the Lakers lose 130-112 to the Nets.
What you must remember
– The defeat that hurts. Let's hope for the Lakers that this setback will not count double at the end of the season… Still 10th, LeBron James' teammates are back in the negative (21v-22d), and the Rockets can return to their level next night. Not to mention that the Warriors have two postponed matches to play.
– A non-existent bench. The Lakers say they have found the right formula with the current five. The problem is that the bench doesn't do much. Only 17 points scored last night, with Rui Hachimura at 0 out of 6! Only Vanderbilt brought desire, but he quickly faded like his teammates.
– Forgotten Anthony Davis. Can we blame Anthony Davis for anything? In attack no, since he had put his team on the right track and he was effective with his 9 out of 13 on shots. Only 13 shots, compared to 22 for LeBron James… On the other hand, on defense, Davis was overwhelmed by the desire of Nic Claxton, and his readings were not great.
– Thomas regains his feelings. He never smiles and even less since he comes off the bench. But he remains a formidable attacker, and he really hurt the Lakers with his 33 points on 13 of 18 shots. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it had been a long time since we had seen so much enthusiasm among the Nets with a bench unleashed on every positive action.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.