The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a unique situation, with 10 out of 11 upcoming games designated as home games at Crypto Arena. The Lakers, with an 11-4 home record, aim to leverage this extended home stretch to improve their overall standing, given their current record of 17-17. The Lakers have struggled in away games, posting a disappointing 6-13 record on the road.
While the prospect of reduced travel is an advantage, LeBron James expressed concern about the potential pitfalls associated with becoming too comfortable playing at home.
“Well, I mean it can help in the sense of just giving ourself an opportunity to not have to travel as much. But it can hurt in the sense of where you start feeling comfortable because you’re at home.”
“So we have to understand that yes, just because we’re home, we need to just like relax now. You know, it definitely feels better to be in your own bed, but at the end of the day, we still got to go out and compete.”
“The team is going to come into our building looking to do the same thing they’ve been doing down the road.”
LeBron James addressed the situation after a disappointing 129-109 loss to the Pelicans, emphasizing the need for the team to stay focused and competitive even when playing on their home court. He acknowledged the convenience of not having to travel extensively but cautioned against complacency, urging the team to approach each game with the same intensity as they would on the road.
As the Lakers look ahead to January, there’s optimism about a potential turnaround. The schedule favors them, with significantly reduced travel and a stretch of home games providing an opportunity to regroup. The team will only make one short flight to face the Jazz on January 14th as their second away game would be playing the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena.
Despite a strong start to the season and winning the In-Season Tournament, the Lakers faced a challenging December schedule with extended road trips, resulting in three wins in their final 11 games.
The upcoming schedule offers a chance for the Lakers to address their issues, both on and off the court. LeBron James emphasized that being at home more doesn’t automatically guarantee victories, but it does provide a conducive environment for the team to focus on their flaws and work toward improvement. With the most home games and the second-easiest strength of schedule, the Lakers are hopeful that this favorable stretch can set the stage for a positive run in January.
Lakers Should Aim To Crack Top 6 By The End Of Home Strech
With the Los Angeles Lakers currently sitting at the 10th spot in the Western Conference with a record of 17-17, they are well within striking distance of the top 6. The Lakers are only 4 games behind the team in the 4th spot, showcasing a realistic opportunity for them to break into the upper echelons of the standings, securing a direct playoff spot rather than navigating through the play-in tournament.
Despite their .500 record, the Lakers boast a solid defensive rating of 113.2, ranking them 10th in the league. This defensive prowess could serve as a foundation for success during their upcoming home stretch. The team’s defensive capabilities suggest that they have the potential to compete with some of the stronger teams in the conference.
To solidify their position in the top 6 and make a deeper playoff push, the Lakers should focus on improving their offense. Currently ranked 23rd in the league with an offensive rating of 112.4, there’s room for growth on the scoring end. Utilizing the extended home stretch to fine-tune offensive strategies, improve shot selection, and enhance overall efficiency will be crucial for the Lakers.
As the team returns to the comfort of Crypto Arena for an extended period, this presents a golden opportunity to not only capitalize on home-court advantage but also address areas of improvement.
If the Lakers can strike a balance between their already solid defense and an improved offense during this crucial stretch, they stand a good chance of climbing the standings and securing a more favorable playoff position. The upcoming games in their home arena could be pivotal in determining their trajectory in the competitive Western Conference.
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