Despite a strong start in the first quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a formidable challenge at home against the Brooklyn Nets, resulting in a notable 130-112 defeat. This loss further drops the Lakers below a .500 record, with their season standing at 21-22.
As of the game night, the Brooklyn Nets, with a record of 17-24, had encountered recent struggles, winning only one of their last ten matchups. The dynamic duo of All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis showcased impressive on-court chemistry early in the game, with the 39-year-old James captivating the Crypto.com Arena crowd with his athleticism.
The Lakers initiated the game with a strong first quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 37-28, propelled by an exceptional 65.2% shooting performance, led by D’Angelo Russell’s team-high 13 points and three assists during that period.
However, the Lakers’ momentum waned in the subsequent three quarters, particularly in the second quarter, where defensive lapses allowed Brooklyn to sink open three-pointers. Despite heading into halftime with a slim lead of 68-62, the Lakers faced a challenging second half, with Brooklyn dominating the latter two quarters, outscoring Los Angeles 68-44.
Cam Thomas, the dynamic reserve combo guard, emerged as the top scorer of the night, delivering an impressive 33 points on 13-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Thomas’s stellar performance, particularly in the late stages of the game, raised concerns about the Lakers’ defensive strategies.
Starting center Nic Claxton, known for his rim-rolling abilities, secured an impressive double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. The Lakers surprisingly provided minimal interior resistance against Claxton, showcasing his notable foot speed advantage over his opponents.
The Nets exhibited a remarkable offensive display, shooting at a 52.6% clip from the field, a significant improvement from their previous 10-game average. Their three-point shooting also saw a notable spike, making 19 triples at a 40.4% accuracy, contributing to a total of 130 points—considerably higher than their average in the past ten matchups.
With 59 bench points, the Nets demonstrated well-rounded scoring, featuring notable performances from Cam Thomas, Lonnie Walker IV, and Dennis Smith Jr.
Facing challenges against Cam Thomas, Austin Reaves struggled defensively, prompting switches with versatile forward Jarred Vanderbilt. However, Thomas continued to excel, while Vanderbilt showcased a season-high scoring performance with 12 points, making all five of his field goal attempts.
LeBron James concluded the game with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, and Anthony Davis contributed 26 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting, with 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks. D’Angelo Russell added 20 points, but his team-worst -16 plus-minus highlighted defensive challenges. Only four Lakers achieved double-digit scoring, compared to seven players from the Nets.
A notable concern for the Lakers was the distribution of shot attempts, with Anthony Davis ranking third despite establishing himself as the primary player. There is a compelling case for Davis to be a more prominent focal point in future game plans, considering his impressive 74% shooting accuracy at the rim.
In the second half, the Lakers struggled, managing only 8-of-24 successful field goals in the post, while Brooklyn excelled with a 16-of-24 shooting performance from the same distance.
January has proven to be a challenging month for the Lakers, with a 4-5 record. Their next opportunity to secure a win comes against the 12-29 Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
DATA SOURCE : si.com