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Lakers’ Embarrassing Losses by 70 Points Raise Questions

Lakers blowout losses/ LeBron James Lakers struggles/ Anthony Davis low performance/ Lakers vs Heat loss/ JJ Redick coaching/ NBA blowout history/ Lakers two-game losing streak/ MIAMI/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their worst two-game stretch in franchise history, losing by a combined 70 points to Minnesota and Miami. LeBron James and Anthony Davis called for accountability, while coach JJ Redick admitted the team is struggling with basics.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Armel Traore looks up at the score as the team falls behind during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Lakers’ Historic Struggles: Quick Looks

  • Historic Losses: A 29-point defeat to Minnesota and 41-point loss to Miami mark franchise lows.
  • Offensive Woes: Lakers outscored 72-15 from 3-point range against Miami.
  • Leadership Response: Coach JJ Redick and stars LeBron James, Anthony Davis call losses “embarrassing.”
  • Stats in Decline: Anthony Davis scores season-low 8 points on 3-for-14 shooting.
  • Next Steps: Lakers face Atlanta and Portland, seeking solutions before NBA Cup break.

Lakers’ Embarrassing Losses by 70 Points Raise Questions

Deep Look

The Los Angeles Lakers hit a historic low this week, enduring their worst two-game stretch in franchise history with back-to-back blowout losses. After a 29-point defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, the Lakers fell even harder Wednesday, losing 134-93 to the Miami Heat. The 70-point combined margin marks an all-time low for the storied franchise.

Struggles on Both Ends

Wednesday’s loss was particularly jarring. Miami outscored the Lakers 72-15 from beyond the arc—a 57-point 3-point differential, tying the fourth-largest in NBA history. The Lakers’ defense failed to contain Miami’s shooters, while their own offensive execution crumbled.

Anthony Davis, typically one of the Lakers’ pillars, struggled mightily. After scoring a season-low 12 points on Monday, Davis managed just 8 points on 3-for-14 shooting against Miami. Reflecting on his performance, Davis said, “I just have to play better individually on both ends. I hold myself to a higher standard.”

LeBron James echoed the need for accountability, stating, “When you’re individually [messing] up and trying to rely on everyone else, it starts with the individual first. All of us have to take accountability.”

Leadership Reacts

First-year head coach JJ Redick described the losses as “embarrassing” and admitted the team is struggling with even basic game plans.

“There’s not a sense from me that we’re ‘together’ right now,” Redick said. “And that’s what we say in the huddle. Doesn’t feel that way.”

While accepting responsibility, Redick also pointed to fundamental issues, noting, “We’re having trouble right now on both ends with base-level gameplan stuff. It’s very odd.”

The defeats come amid a broader downturn. After starting the season strong with a six-game winning streak, the Lakers have gone 2-6 in their last eight games, with four losses by 25 points or more.

Historic Perspective

The Lakers’ 41-point defeat to Miami was only the 11th time in franchise history that they’ve lost by more than 40 points in over 6,800 games. The team’s recent woes surpass even low points from the 2016-17 season, when they were outscored by 67 over two consecutive games.

Finding Solutions

With upcoming games against Atlanta on Friday and Portland on Sunday, the Lakers have a chance to regroup before the NBA Cup quarterfinal break. The additional practice time could be crucial as the team works to address systemic issues.

“We need to get back to basics and build some chemistry,” James said. Despite his frustration, the four-time NBA champion emphasized maintaining perspective: “Don’t get too high when things are good or too low when things are bad.”

Next Steps

The Lakers’ immediate focus will be on improving their defensive cohesion and rediscovering their offensive rhythm. For Redick, James, and Davis, restoring confidence and unity will be key to turning the season around.

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