Lakers fall to Mavericks in worst outing for the team ever

As the team searches for answers, they were handed the Lakers worst loss ever.

Reaching an all-time record is usually a good thing, but there’s the irony. Instead of succeeding and doing things the best way possible, the young core is starting to seriously struggle.

Going up against Dallas, the team barely worse than the Lakers in the Western Conference, it shouldn’t have been this way.

With a solid bench, growing rookie in Brandon Ingram, and a lot of explosive potential, how could the Lakers only muster 73?

Easy answer — lack of focus.

The poor shooting performance as a team came on the eleventh anniversary of what was arguably Kobe Bryant’s biggest career achievement. Over a decade ago, the Lakers torched the Toronto Raptors as Bryant went off for 81 points.

It still stands as the second most points in a game ever, second only to Wilt Chamberlin’s 100.

If anything, it’s a sign of where the team has come after their legend retired last season. D’Angelo Russell hasn’t been as much of a factor due to injuries, and the rest of the team just can’t seem to step up.

The only exception to that is Lou Williams, who never shies away from a chance to be the best sixth man.

All of that didn’t matter against Dallas as the Mavericks had their way, starting in the second quarter. After contesting their opponent to start the game, Los Angeles scored just 11 points in the second frame.

Their 33 points in the first half were outscored by Dallas’ 38 point second quarter.

Los Angeles will get two days off before taking on the Portland Trail Blazers.

Next: Ducks Succumb To Wild

The Lakers haven’t beaten Portland in a long while, and it may take a miracle to come out of that one alive.