What went wrong in the loss (plenty)

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<img src=”https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/10c207d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048×1079+0+0/resize/840×442!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc3%2Fed%2F1178d79f4aa1892d3522b0d6b045%2Fla-photos-1-649390-sp-jaguars-texans-foot-003-jpg-20190915″ alt=”Lakers forward Anthony Davis, who had 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots, drives the baseline while defended by Magic center Goga Bitadze.”>
<figcaption>Lakers forward Anthony Davis driving to the baseline while defended by Magic center Goga Bitadze. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)</figcaption>
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The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a decisive 120-101 loss to the Orlando Magic, and it didn’t take much analysis to understand their downfall. Here are the main takeaways from a game where the Lakers failed to pose a threat.

Deficiency in rebounding proved costly for the Lakers, as highlighted by Coach Darvin Ham. Orlando dominated the offensive boards and capitalized with 19 second-chance points.

Ham emphasized that rebounding cannot be tactically planned; it requires the desire to aggressively pursue the ball. He acknowledged the Lakers’ struggles in this area and stressed the importance of putting bodies on opponents, getting hits, and being the most tenacious team in securing rebounds.

Anthony Davis recognized this vulnerability and revealed that he would exploit it if he were the opponent. The Lakers have been outscored 117-54 on second-chance points, emphasizing the need for improvement in this aspect.

The Lakers’ recurring issue of starting games slowly plagued them once again. In five out of their last six games, the team has fallen behind by double digits in the first quarter. Ham attributed this to a lack of effort and energy, which allowed Orlando to outwork them and establish a commanding lead.

Cam Reddish, along with several other Lakers players, struggled to perform against the Magic. Davis attributed this to a lack of energy, particularly in areas such as offensive rebounds, turnovers leading to fast break points, and 50-50 balls. Rectifying these deficiencies became a priority for the team.

Hope may be on the horizon as Taurean Prince and Rui Hachimura are set for evaluations, potentially allowing them to make a comeback against the Miami Heat. The Lakers acknowledge the significance of having bigger bodies on the court and recognize the need to improve their boxing out and defensive rotations to prevent offensive rebounds.

D’Angelo Russell, despite a poor shooting performance, received encouragement from his teammate Austin Reaves. Reaves highlighted Russell’s unwavering confidence and expressed his belief that one bad game shouldn’t overshadow his abilities.

Reaves had a standout game against Orlando, scoring 20 points and displaying his usual confidence and hard work. LeBron James also had a solid performance, contributing 24 points, and the Lakers have consistently outscored opponents when he’s on the court.

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Emily Turner

Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.