The Lakers have lost five straight games after a hard-fought performance against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers trailed as many as 18 points and cut the lead down to 2 points in the final minute of the fourth quarter, but fell short of a full comeback.
Like most opponents this season, the Suns dissected and feasted on the Lakers’ defense. The Lakers did a decent job containing Devin Booker, holding him to only 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting from the field. However, Eric Bledsoe had a huge game scoring 30 points on an efficient 10-of-18 shooting. The Suns’ bench was huge, led by Leandro Barbosa who had a season-high 21 points.
The Lakers were sluggish to begin the game but picked up their intensity once their bench came in. Not surprisingly, Lou Williams had another monster game scoring 35 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field. In his last four games, Williams has scored a total on 137 points. Williams has been the Lakers’ best player during this long losing streak. Unexpectedly, Marcelo Huertas had one of his best games this season scoring 12 points and make two three-pointers.
Game 25 recap: pic.twitter.com/xDYA6w2rk3
— Lakers Outsiders (@LakersOutsiders) December 10, 2016
There is no question that the Lakers need D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young back on the court as soon as possible. The Lakers have badly missed their offense and defense. Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson continue to struggle without Russell and Young on the floor. Clarkson scored 14 points on 35.3 percent shooting from the field. Randle struggled a lot in pick-and-roll defense, which the Suns exploited throughout the game. Hopefully, when the team gets fully healthy, everyone can find their rhythm.
Lakers lose 119-115.Tough loss, frustrating at times. But that was a hell of an effort to get back into it late.
— Lakers Outsiders (@LakersOutsiders) December 10, 2016
Despite injuries and missing key players, the Lakers were resilient enough to reduce the Suns’ 19-point lead, but it is frustrating that they couldn’t complete the full comeback.
Here are some of the fans’ thoughts from the Lakers lost:
Give us your takeaways from the game, Lakers fans!
— Lakers Outsiders (@LakersOutsiders) December 10, 2016
@LakersOutsiders Brandon Ingram late 3!
— Klau (@toushirou31) December 10, 2016
@LakersOutsiders they can't or are not learning how to play Defense when you score 110 at home you should win
— Brian Bird (10-15) (@BViper24) December 10, 2016
@LakersOutsiders we need to get healthy cause don't have any depth anymore and is what was using to win
— Christopherson (@AndrewC26537169) December 10, 2016
That draft pick is looking miiiiiiggty nice 😄😄😄 https://t.co/wYBftuTTJq
— Niick Vuylsteke (@Niick_Holas) December 10, 2016
@LakersOutsiders we're really missing D'Lo and Young for stability
— Andrew Bernardo (@TheNardoDog) December 10, 2016
@LakersOutsiders team needs its starting 1 & 2 back. J Clarkson has been a huge disappointment when we needed him most short on guards…
— wc in ec (@lalalakersfan) December 10, 2016
The Lakers (10-15) are in a desperate need of a win. They host the Knicks on Sunday before embarking on a grueling seven-game road trip. Hopefully, the Lakers can steal a win against the Knicks (13-10) so they can bring some sort of momentum for their upcoming road trip.
