In one of the lowest moments of this Lakers season, the ball rebounded down the field to a spot beyond the three-point line above the left elbow and Andrew Nembhard swung a game-winner.
It was November 28, a game the Lakers wanted to forget.
You’re going to think about it now.
“It’s like Indiana again,” said a disappointed Darvin Ham.
With a chance to gain valuable ground in the Western Conference playoff race, the Lakers saw another loss with a last-second three-pointer from that exact spot – this time with Maxi Kleber making the shot Friday night.
“It sucks to say the least,” said Austin Reaves.
Friday’s 111-110 loss would have been unfortunate on its own, but with the team losing in Houston earlier this year as a precaution with Anthony Davis due to his foot injury, the Lakers are officially headed in the wrong direction.
It is the first time in more than a month that the Lakers have lost back-to-back games.
“If you don’t mind losing really important games, what’s the point of playing?” said Reaves.
The Lakers have been clear on their strategy over the past month, putting health above the scoreboard. With no restrictions, no back-to-back games to keep anyone away, the Lakers had only one chance on Friday.
Against the Mavericks, a team just one game ahead of them in Friday’s standings, the Lakers had a chance to make a real move. Minnesota, Golden State, New Orleans and Portland all lost, giving the team a valuable opportunity to gain ground.
You didn’t take it.
From a deficit of as many as 14, the Lakers fought back to take a five-point lead over fourth before the Mavericks staged a comeback.
Three Kleber free throws (after an error on a try by Davis) made it one point in the last minute.
Davis then shared two free throws to give the Mavericks a chance to win or tie.
There would be no overtime, the Lakers forced the ball out of Kyrie Irving’s hands, but Kleber stepped in and swung the shot when the horn sounded.
Davis finished the tournament with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and five other Lakers had at least 10 points on a night that saw the team of Irving and the Mavericks heavily outclassed from the three-point line.
Dallas made 11 more 3-pointers than the Lakers, who also missed 12 free throws to just four for the Mavericks, who were without Luka Doncic.
Irving scored 38 to lead Dallas.
After the loss that gave the Lakers the narrowest margin for the final play-in spot for Utah, the Lakers said they needed to play like a team they all needed.
But with reservations whether Davis can play rugby is clearly more difficult.
This strategy comes at a price, and Western Conference teams seem willing to pay it.
By emphasizing potential post-season health rather than regular season wins, teams like the Lakers, the Clippers and the Mavericks can all come up with potentially crucial matchups in a packed playoff race.
It hasn’t completely gone off the radar yet. During Friday’s shootaround, Dennis Schroder told reporters he had one specific place in mind – outside of the play-in tournament.
“I think the way we are now as a group, the chemistry is perfect, I think,” said Schröder. “Like I said, we just have to try to get the no. Getting 6 seeds is our goal and wish. And then go from there.”
But the no. 6 seeds to open road playoffs.
Ham, who has more than 25 years of NBA experience as a player and coach, has seen a shift to health become paramount for teams as they head into the postseason.
“I don’t think it’s changed at all, but I think health comes first [seeding]Ham said ahead of Friday’s game. “…and the playoffs, I wouldn’t say they’re overrated, but at some point you have to win to be world champion, so you just have to be solid, healthy, confident and play along with a good rhythm.”
“And wherever you play, you give yourself a chance. But just at home I’ve seen a lot of postseason teams that have home field advantage and it doesn’t matter because they gave up those home games.
However, history says that teams that struggle uphill in the playoffs are at a huge disadvantage.
The 1995 Houston Rockets are the lowest-ranked team to win a title after starting sixth in the West in the playoffs.
The 1999 New York Knicks advanced to the Finals as the eighth seed in a lockout-shortened season.
The Lakers’ hopes don’t individually depend on whether or not Davis is on the field in back-to-back games (the Lakers play Jazz and the Clippers in their final back-to-back game of the year ).
LeBron James continues to make progress and Schroder says he saw James complete multiple daily workouts to return.
Getting him back with the time remaining on the season clock would be a huge boost.
Ham warned in advance that the team will look at the standings of the last twelve games or set specific win/loss goals.
“Each game is its own entity and we have to approach it that way,” said Ham. “Making sure we get the maximum and making sure we improve every day as much as possible, while still trying to reach our goal. But just take them one by one.
“We can’t be overwhelmed where we have 12 left and we need to get to that number [of wins], and you start to overlook things. Our priority was to stay in the moment and watch them one by one.”
On Friday, however, it was the Mavericks who took it.
Source: LA Times
Robert Happel is an author and sports journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep passion for sports and a talent for analyzing the latest developments in the world of athletics. With a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge on the subject, Robert has become a respected voice in the field of sports journalism.
