SPURS LAKERS SCORE FULL

The team that many expected to compete for an NBA championship has yet to show any signs of being a legitimate threat for a deep playoff run.

SPURS LAKERS SCORE FULL

The powers that be within the franchise are preaching patience until we see this team at full strength, but L.A. Whether due to the lingering effects of their COVID-19 outbreak - which many other teams have also dealt with - or just the general wear and tear endured by their aging roster, including the injuries suffered by Ariza, Davis and Kendrick Nunn, the Lakers are in another massive rut. Mentions AD, Trevor Ariza, Austin Reaves and Kent Bazemore.- Harrison Faigen December 24, 2021 'All our defensive guys are in health and safety protocols.' LeBron says the Lakers can fix their defense, but they need help from guys they don't have right now. The difference between the older and coronavirus-impacted Lakers roster and younger, healthier Spurs roster - which features zero players over the age of 30 and zero currently in COVID protocols - was especially evident in their second units, as San Antonio’s bench outscored L.A.’s 69-20. Trevor Ariza’s entrance into protocols earlier Thursday also meant that the Lakers had just two healthy forwards - the 37-year-old Carmelo Anthony and almost-37-year-old James - so their small-ball lineups were (understandably) extremely ineffective on defense as well. Despite Dwight Howard’s return to the starting lineup after he spent time in health and safety protocols, the Lakers’ paint protection continued to be absolutely abysmal without Davis, with both Howard and DeAndre Jordan looking like washed-up shells of the former All-Defense rim protectors they once were. The Lakers’ defense continued to look horrible in Davis’ absence, allowing 103 points through three quarters.

Talen Horton-Tucker was the only other Lakers scorer in double figures with 13 points, but he shot 5-13 from the field. Westbrook finished with 30 points, including 17 in the third quarter. This marks the sixth time in seven games that James has led the Lakers in scoring, and he’ll have to continue to carry a substantial part of the load with Anthony Davis out for the better part of the next month and the rest of James’ supporting cast outside of Westbrook either in health and safety protocols or struggling mightily to provide any real value on the court. James was once again the brightest star for the Lakers, finishing with a team-high 36 points, 23 of which came in the first half alone. The ugly affair marked the final NBA game played at Staples Center before it’s renamed arena on Christmas. LeBron James and Russell Westbrook continued their scorching hot play, combining for 66 points, but the remains of their supporting cast struggled yet again and the San Antonio Spurs thoroughly dismantled the Lakers’ defense, beating L.A.

Spurs lakers score