This is not the time for the Los Angeles Lakers to lose by 20 points, even if they are on the road. Still, that is exactly what happened in Phoenix as the Suns had a great offensive night and beat the Lakers 125-105. Kobe Bryant was not in the lineup, as he was nursing a sore shin. I think it is fair to say that he was missed. Can Kobe get back on the floor in time to get the Lakers back on track?
The go-to guy
Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant is still the go-to guy for the Lakers. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum had great games, but it wasn't enough to stop the Suns, and the defensive effort just wasn't there. It is obviously impossible to assume what might have happened if #24 had been in the lineup. However, this is a bad sign for a team that is still trying to find their new identity after the Ramon Sessions trade.
Lacking defense
The Suns have a solid offense, but 125 points is a lot, particularly when the Lakers are giving up 94 points per game this season. Throughout the year, the Lakers have been a great rebounding team, and against Phoenix it was no different. Los Angeles outrebounded the Suns 54-36 but Phoenix only turned the ball over three times, which is an amazing number for an NBA game. Rebounding doesn't help as much when the opponent shoots 48% from behind the arc and doesn't give the ball away.
Meanwhile…
Back in Los Angeles, the Clippers were taking care of business against the Sacramento Kings by a score of 109-94. A Clipper win and a Laker loss means that there is only a half game separating the two clubs. The Lakers may have won the final battle for Los Angeles, but the Clippers have won eight out of nine games and are closing in on the Pacific Division title.
The Lakers are running out of time to figure out their season.
Sources:
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=320407021
The author grew up in Seattle and now lives in Los Angeles, where he enjoys the rivalry between the Lakers and the Clippers, and all the drama that goes with being in the Southland. You can follow him on Twitter @tpheifer.
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