Having secured a series of back-to-back wins for the first time in a month, the Los Angeles Lakers are now more optimistic about the journey ahead.
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Having secured a series of back-to-back wins for the first time in a month, the Los Angeles Lakers are now more optimistic about the journey ahead. Any speculation about a possible discord between the players and head coach Darvin Ham has swiftly subsided. Putting their newfound cohesion to the test, the Lakers are set to face the Phoenix Suns in a home game this Thursday.
During a challenging stretch, losing nine out of 11 games and slipping to a 3-10 record since their triumph in the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament in early December, a recent report emerged. It suggested that some unnamed players expressed concerns about Ham’s lineup choices and in-game strategies.
Ham emphasized that he maintained an open channel of communication with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and this dynamic duo consistently delivered pivotal performances. They secured crucial victories against the resurging Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and pulled off another close one, triumphing 132-131 against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
In the matchup against the Raptors, Davis showcased his prowess with an impressive 41-point performance, notably contributing 20 points in the fourth quarter. Additionally, he secured 11 rebounds. James, on the other hand, demonstrated his versatility with 22 points and 12 assists. Together, the duo displayed remarkable efficiency, shooting 61.8 percent from the floor by making 21 of their 34 attempts.
For the Lakers, Hachimura (calf injury) and Vincent (knee injury) will not be playing the game. Besides, Reddish is also questionable for the game. As for the Suns, Azubuike (illness), Bol (ankle injury), Lee (knee injury), and Little (knee injury) will be sitting this one out.
Alongside the Lakers’ modest resurgence, a significant highlight from Tuesday’s game was the team’s 36 free-throw attempts, with a notable 23 occurring in the fourth quarter. This prompted Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic to express his frustration passionately, pounding on the table and vehemently criticizing the referees afterward.
In the latter part of the game, the Lakers deliberately directed plays towards Davis in the paint, and he responded with a remarkable display, connecting on shots both from the field and the free-throw line. This marked one of the standout stretches in his illustrious career.
Seeking stability, the Suns are navigating the challenge of incorporating star player Bradley Beal consistently into the lineup. After participating in only six of the initial 30 games, Beal has been on the court for the past seven consecutive matchups. The ongoing objective is to seamlessly integrate Beal with fellow stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
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