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“Lakers Suffer 70-Point Deficit Over Last Two Game Losses”

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“Lakers Suffer 70-Point Deficit Over Last Two Game Losses”

The Los Angeles Lakers have encountered a dismal period, suffering consecutive losses that mark the lowest point in franchise history. They faced a staggering defeat against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, losing 134-93, following a 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves just two days prior. This aggregate loss of 70 points sets an unfortunate record for the Lakers, surpassing their previous two-game low margins noted during the 2016-17 season.

“It’s really tough to get beaten like that not once, but twice in a row,” noted Lakers superstar LeBron James candidly about the games. The team had been riding high with a six-game winning streak earlier in the month, achieving a record of 10-4. However, their form has sharply declined since then, with a subsequent record of 2-6, four of these losses being by margins exceeding 25 points. The defeat against Miami not only reflects the current struggles but is also notably the worst loss of the season and just the 11th instance in the club’s long history where they’ve lost by 40 or more points in over 6,800 games played, including playoffs.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick, now in his first year at the helm, expressed his embarrassment over the team’s recent performance. “We’re all embarrassed,” he stated after the game. Redick has compiled a record of 12-10 this season, but this challenging stretch has tested his leadership. In his post-game commentary, he acknowledged the need to take responsibility, saying, “I’ll take all the ownership in the world. This is my team and I lead it,” while also pointing to the team’s struggles with executing basic game strategies.

“We’re in a tough stretch and we’re all trying to find it,” Redick added, hinting at a disconnect within the team. The statistics of the game revealed a concerning trend as Miami outperformed the Lakers sharply from beyond the arc, leading 72-15 in 3-point shooting, resulting in a 57-point disparity—one of the largest ever recorded in NBA history.

Anthony Davis faced challenges this week too, scoring a season-low of 12 points against Minnesota, followed by an even lower performance against the Heat with just 8 points on 3-for-14 shooting. Reflecting on his performance, Davis admitted, “Guys are doing their part. I’m not doing mine, which is just tough for our team.” He further emphasized the need to elevate his play on both ends of the court, expressing disappointment in his contributions.

LeBron James voiced his agreement with both his coach and teammate, underscoring the importance of accountability within the team. He has learned through his extensive career not to let the highs or lows sway him too much. Yet, he acknowledged that experiencing back-to-back defeats in such a magnitude is unfamiliar territory. As the team prepares for an upcoming game against Atlanta and then a matchup with Portland, they look forward to the brief period of practice time available to re-strategize and address their issues.

“When you’re individually struggling and hoping others can compensate, it starts with each person taking responsibility,” James emphasized. “All of us have to take accountability.” The Lakers are eager to find their footing as they navigate through this challenging spell.