The Lakers have halted their four-game losing streak with a much-needed win over the high-flying Clippers. The 106-103 win saw the Lakers have one of their strongest defensive showings in a while with the offense just managing to outpoint a misfiring Clippers squad. Fans are overjoyed after getting such a big win.
Home W. pic.twitter.com/qswo6iKAmQ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 8, 2024
Laker fans are undecided on where they stand on their coaching after poor decision permeated throughout the game but the team managed to still win.
I donβt know what the Lakers doing from a coaching standpoint
But Iβll take the W π
— Ry (@JustRyCole) January 8, 2024
Some fans are making it clear that this win shouldn’t save Darvin Ham from criticism.
Ham think everything Calm & Cool Now that The Lakers FINALLY won a Game
You still getting The Boot Nigga pic.twitter.com/PS8fu78E9J
— π₯ππ¦π£πππ§ππ¨π ππ πππ‘ π·οΈ (@Larespectful_23) January 8, 2024
Norman Powell had an incredibly close buzzer-beater at the end of the fourth that could have sent the game to OT which some fans were shocked to see rim out.
Dang, Norm.
Very very very very very very very very important win for the Lakers!
Tβwas nice to see Taurean hit a big shot in light of [waves arms wildly]
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) January 8, 2024
Fans loved LeBron James’ strong defense on Kawhi Leonard the entire game.
Bron really has Kawhi in a straitjacket all game but they will delete the footage and say he hates defense
— πLakersGuruπ (@GuruLakers) January 8, 2024
More fans wanted LeBron to get his credit for being an ace defender on Kawhi, who has been on a hot scoring streak.
Whenever yβall ready to discuss Bron kicking Kawhiβs ass on both ends of the court tonight, Iβll be here.
— KenHeLive (@KenHeLive) January 8, 2024
Fans praised the LeBron and AD duo defensively in the game.
iβm taking ad for granted man heβs literally 10/14 w/ 22 points 10 boards and bringing it on defense
bro has been masterful defensively in the fourth quarter
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) January 8, 2024
Clipper fans accepted the fact that their core players were having a bad night.
Norm kawhi harden and Russ just havenβt been good enough point bLAnk.
Now you have DLo getting hot
— Dime Dropper (@DimeDropperPod) January 8, 2024
The Lakers struggled to score once again, as LeBron James put up 25 points with eight rebounds and seven assists, showing high aggression on defense and getting a poster dunk on Paul George. Anthony Davis put up 22 points with 10 rebounds, also getting three steals and a block on the night. Taurean Prince and D’Angelo Russell had 13 points each, as no other Lakers scored in double-digits.
The best player for the Clippers was easily Ivica Zubac, who ended the night with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Paul George also put up 22 points and managed five steals as the only other Clipper to have a good game. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden both struggled to score, ending the night with 15 points, though Harden hit an important three with less than a minute to go in order to keep the Clippers in the game.
Lakers Coaching Troubles Continue
This game wasn’t one that Darvin Ham can claim went a long way in saving his job. Ham is under a lot of fire at the moment and didn’t wow fans with his use of lineups upon D’Angelo Russell’s return to the team. Russell did have a strong run in the third quarter, but the Lakers’ struggles in the fourth can be attributed to him.
Another major problem was the lack of minutes Christian Wood got even though he was one of the only players to regularly challenge Zubac on the boards, even getting two blocks in his 15-minute stint.
The Lakers had broken ATO plays in the last 24 seconds, being unable to advance the ball but the coaching staff refused to call a timeout, prompting LeBron to make the decision. That could have caused a turnover, as the Lakers had already spent eight seconds trying to get the ball out of the backcourt and failed twice before that.
Luck fell the Lakers’ way today. Ham does get credit for having competent defensive rotations and schemes to contain the Clippers but his offensive failings have continued in another game. We can blame the players as well, so the Lakers are far from being out of the woods.
They have improved their record to 18-19 and regained the 10th seed in the West.
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