The Los Angeles Lakers were trampled by the Miami Heat 134-93 to drop to 12-10, the second-worst thing that happened to them on Wednesday.
What’s worse? The marathon of public backlash against the Lakers’ defensive effort in several game stretches, checking every bad box on the eye test.
Los Angeles Lakers Defense Is Atrocious
The third quarter was the worst offender. Not only did Miami guard Tyler Herro sink seven three-pointers during that time, but one particular instance of transition defense went viral showing Kevin Love dish out an outlet pass to a wide-open Terry Rozier as the Lakers practically – sort of literally – walked back on defense.
“We’re all embarrassed,” Redick said after the game. “It’s not a game that I thought we had the right fight, the right professionalism…I can’t physically be the basketball. I can’t physically talk and call out reads and call out coverages. And by the way, I’m not blaming players. I own this, but we need some ownership on the court as well.”
“I personally just think it starts with me,” Anthony Davis attested. “If I play better, then guys play better. I definitely take accountability, especially the last couple of games.”
Davis had just eight points in the blowout, resetting his season low after hitting it on Monday with just 12 points in the Lakers’ equally embarrassing 109-80 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves. LeBron James led the way in scoring with 29 points after having just 10 in Minnesota.
Los Angeles will continue their road trip to Atlanta to take on a Hawks team on a five-game win streak.