The Lakers’ 115-113 win over the Warriors on Christmas was a wake-up name for Golden State. The Warriors wanted two near-impossible three-pointers from Stephen Curry within the recreation’s dying moments — a shoulder-sling from the nook with LeBron James plastered throughout him and a brand shot from 38 toes — to make the competition shut.
In the end, Austin Reaves’ game-sealing layup secured victory for Los Angeles, however the extra vital takeaway was the diverging trajectories of those two groups.
After a disappointing mid-December highway journey that noticed the Lakers go 1-3, together with blowout losses to the Timberwolves and Warmth, the crew seemed to be in freefall. Nonetheless, L.A. has since reversed course, profitable 5 of its final seven video games. This resurgence has been highlighted by a formidable back-to-back highway sweep of the Kings, an announcement win towards the surging Grizzlies and the aforementioned Christmas Day overcome the Warriors.
The Lakers’ revival can largely be attributed to their improved protection. Regardless of dealing with a number of of the league’s prime offensive groups, L.A. has climbed to 14th in defensive rating over its final 10 contests — a major leap from its struggles in October and November, when it ranked among the many affiliation’s worst defensive squads.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick not too long ago inserted 21-year-old wing Max Christie into the beginning lineup, which has paid rapid dividends. For the reason that change, L.A. has seemed like a unique crew, with Christie offering the lockdown perimeter protection it lacked when Dalton Knecht or D’Angelo Russell have been beginning.
His presence has energized all the squad on the much less glamorous finish, with the Lakers displaying a renewed dedication to closing out on shooters, combating via screens and bringing a extra bodily, scrappy edge to their play.
The Lakers at the moment sit at 17-13, holding sixth place within the stacked Western Convention, regardless of dealing with vital damage setbacks. Defensive ace Jarred Vanderbilt and versatile huge man Christian Wooden have but to swimsuit up for a single recreation this season, whereas backup heart Jaxson Hayes has missed prolonged time with an ankle sprain.
Simply weeks in the past, the Lakers have been mired in adverse headlines, with doubts swirling about their playoff probabilities. Now, they seem like a prime squad able to hit one other gear as soon as their roster is absolutely wholesome.
In the meantime, after a scorching 12-3 begin, the Warriors have stumbled, going simply 3-11 over their final 14 video games — one of many worst information within the league throughout that span. In stark distinction to the Lakers, Golden State’s once-stifling protection has unraveled. After starting the season as one of many NBA’s prime defensive groups, it now ranks within the bottom 10 in defensive rating throughout their earlier 14 video games (114.9 DEFRTG).
Early within the yr, the Warriors thrived by using the league’s deepest rotation, unleashing waves of defenders to use outdoors strain and disrupt opposing offenses. Nonetheless, groups have since found out that the important thing to breaking down Golden State’s protection is attacking the perimeter with a tough display screen or isolating defenders one-on-one. As soon as the Warriors get into the paint, they lack rim safety, particularly when beginning heart Trayce Jackson-Davis, who averages simply 17.8 minutes per recreation, is on the bench.
With little shot blocking, the Warriors have been compelled to double-team on drives to the paint, leaving opponents with open appears to be like from past the arc. Consequently, Golden State has allowed 19.6 wide-open three-point attempts per game (no defender inside six toes) over its final 14 video games, one of many worst marks within the league. This vulnerability was on full show on Christmas, as James and Reaves repeatedly broke down the protection, every ending with 10 assists as they discovered open shooters for wide-open threes.
The Warriors not too long ago acquired Dennis Schroder, however he isn’t the answer to their defensive woes. If Golden State hopes to make a critical postseason push, it might must make a major transfer earlier than the commerce deadline to land a participant able to offering much-needed rim safety and backline protection.
