Lakers Defense Steps Up Big Time

In a come-from-behind victory, the Los Angeles Lakers earned their ninth win Tuesday night against the Pelicans..

Once again Lou Williams led all Lakers in scoring with 19 points.

In this game three Lakers were in double figures — Lou, Jordan Clarkson, and D’Angelo Russell.

Together they scored 50 points, just a little more than half the total of the points the Lakers put up.

New Orleans was leading the Lakers in this game all the way until the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles was never out of the game; because they kept the score close the whole time.

Some key plays included 4 point play opportunities by Anthony Brown, and Jordan Clarkson.

What helped them in this game is the defense by the Lakers, the togetherness, the chemistry. You can see it all coming together.

You can see it in the last seven games or so.

The defense of the Lakers is improving with time.

As a team they need chemistry, be able to communicate, and grow/mature as a player and person and that takes time.

This was visible in the game last night.

Their defense was able to set up their offense and this is how they won the game.

The noticeable difference was the turnover ratio; the Pelicans had eleven while the Lakers had only eight and the Lakers attempted and made more free throws than their opponent.

In the fourth quarter the Lakers made their free throws and their field goals which helped lead them to a come from behind win at home.

News from the game is Kobe Bryant did play and scored seven points in the first half.

He did not return for the second half because of an Achilles injury.

With that being said the team won without Kobe in the second half.

They have proven they can win without him; yet he does bring a special vibe about him to the team and on the court.

He does help hem win as well and he has been able to change his style of play for these upcoming stars and be a mentor for them and he is content with it.

Good news for the Lakers is they earned their ninth win of the seasons against the Pelicans and yes Anthony Davis was out yet either way the team won.

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The bad news for the team is that their next game is against the Golden State Warriors, who have embarrassed them the last two times they’ve squared off.

They lost by a combined total off 55 points.

Yet, if they play the Warriors like they did the Thunder they have a possibility of wining.

They almost defeated the Thunder in the third game however; they only lost by 4 points not 40 points, which is a huge difference and improvement.

Last time the Lakers played the Warriors, they were pace for pace with them until after halftime. Then, the Warriors’ whole team was draining three-pointers.

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If the Lakers can play the Warriors like they did the Thunder for the whole game they will have a greater chance of winning — and beating the Pelicans give them confidence heading into the game they might not have otherwise.