The Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, ultimately falling short in a close game, losing 117-114. The match highlighted some ongoing challenges the Lakers face as the season progresses.
At the start of the season, the Lakers appeared focused on outscoring their opponents, often struggling on the defensive end. However, they recently began to make defensive improvements, which led to a more energetic play style. Despite these advancements, the contest against the Pistons revealed aspects of the team’s identity that they are still working to develop.
Throughout the game, the Lakers exhibited moments of speed and physicality, yet these traits seemed inconsistent. Unlike the Pistons, who play with natural physicality and strength, the Lakers often looked like a team trying to adapt and reach that level. This became especially evident as the Pistons, with players like Cade Cunningham, displayed their physical prowess, making it challenging for the Lakers to keep up.
LeBron James, now in his 22nd season in the NBA, has long been known for his ability to dominate smaller players. Against the Pistons, he managed to contribute significantly, finishing the game with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. However, it was the collective effort that fell short. The Lakers faced considerable physicality from Detroit’s younger team, highlighted by their 20 turnovers, which the Pistons capitalized on, scoring 28 points off those mistakes.
Despite falling behind by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter, the Lakers were able to narrow the gap to just three points with less than a minute left in the game. However, an important driving layup attempt by Anthony Davis fell short, and a foul called on the play was overturned upon review. This decision proved costly as it prevented the Lakers from tying the game in the final moments.
The intensity of the Pistons’ defensive efforts included a notable focus on disrupting the Lakers’ rhythm. The pressure they applied forced misplays and turnovers that the Lakers could not afford. Davis acknowledged the team’s struggles with ball security, emphasizing the need for improvement.
“We were just loose with the ball. We were trying to make the right plays. But they do a good job of creating turnovers, and it’s hard to win a game with 20,” said Davis. Austin Reaves, who was also affected by the aggressive Detroit defense, admitted that he needed to adapt better to the pressure.
On the offensive side, the Lakers did experience a minor breakthrough, managing 14 successful three-pointers, a positive sign compared to their recent performances. Yet, even with solid contributions from other starters, the team could not overcome the Pistons’ bench, which outscored the Lakers’ reserves 52-28.
The game emphasized the foundation of Lakers’ play and their need to find ways to compete more physically. Coach Darvin Ham has previously discussed the ways in which the team has to adapt to more aggressive opponents, and this game illustrated that point clearly.
Moving forward, the Lakers will need to find consistent ways to tackle teams that play with a physical edge. James reiterated this after the loss, stating, “We gotta be stronger. That’s all. It’s either in you or it’s not.” As the season progresses, the Lakers will hope to build upon their moments of strength while also addressing the areas that continue to challenge them.
As the team reflects on their performance against the Pistons, the need for development in physicality, consistency, and ball management remains crucial. The Lakers have shown they can compete with the best when things click, and their ability to learn and adapt will be essential in turning their season around.
