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Los Angeles Lakers: Three things we learned in Lakers’ first win

By Jason Reed

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. The Phoenix Suns’ defense is awful but the Los Angeles Lakers defense still isn’t good

The Los Angeles Lakers scored 131 points against the Phoenix Suns and probably could have scored another 15 if it was a close game and the team didn’t take the foot of the gas pedal. Throughout the entire game, it was obvious how bad the Phoenix Suns’ defense was and how the fast tempo Lakers would pick it apart.

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However, the Lakers defense also looked pretty bad at times, although not as bad as the opponents did. Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton both had fairly good games for the Suns, Booker led all scorers with 23 points and Ayton added 22 points and 11 rebounds of his own.

In what was a moral victory for the Suns, the young team was able to keep up with the Lakers in scoring close to the basket. Los Angeles, who has scored most of the team’s points in the paint, scored 68 points in the paint opposed to the 62 points the Suns scored.

So while it is exciting to see your team score 131 points and win its first game of the season, you must remember how bad the Suns defense really is and how the Lakers defense was far from perfect as well.

It seems a bit silly to dissect an 18-point win like that but the Lakers did have the same struggles defensively that the team had in the first three games of the season.

Next. Trade targets that could help fill Lakers' holes. dark

Either way, the Los Angeles Lakers got the first win of the season in decisive fashion behind a great offensive night, led by two unlikely veterans.

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