Lakers’ latest struggles were the talk of the Timberwolves

Russell Westbrook wore a sweater, LeBron James had a coat and Wayne Ellington had a hat.

If the Lakers had been going to be this chilly, no less than they had been dressed for it.

If it hadn’t occurred twice within the earlier three days, the Lakers’ struggles placing the ball within the basket could be too outrageous to know. But right here they had been once more, opening the sport towards Minnesota lacking three-point shot after three-point shot.

Ultimately towards the Timberwolves, they missed 10 in a row within the first quarter — cruelly a whistle canceling Talen Horton-Tucker’s last-second nook prayer that went in. Throughout their final three video games, the Lakers are certainly one of 33 from three-point vary within the first quarter.

“Groups are daring us to shoot the ball from exterior and we’re not making them,” James stated flatly.

The misses have been piling up for the Lakers in March, groups correctly packing the paint and letting the Lakers launch. Earlier than Wednesday’s 124-104 loss to the Timberwolves, the Lakers tried 40 or extra threes in a sport 17 occasions this season. They took 45 towards Minnesota.

The Lakers misplaced 13 of these video games — together with 5 occasions within the earlier 11 days.

“Simply preserve capturing,” Westbrook stated. “Easy as that.”

However ought to they?

For the reason that All-Star break, Westbrook is capturing 11.1% from three-point vary. He’s not alone — Talen Horton-Tucker is at 25.9% and Austin Reaves is at 29.7%. All three are taking no less than two makes an attempt per sport.

The misses have been crippling. They’ve allowed groups to open big leads. Because the Lakers attempt to make their comebacks, a missed three right here and a missed three there have been the equal to the Lakers pulling the emergency brake on any momentum they’d constructed.

Coach Frank Vogel stated that, in response to the Lakers’ stats, the crew made solely 4 of 23 “open” three-point pictures towards the Timberwolves. Minnesota, in contrast, transformed seven of their 11 open threes.

“We’re going to proceed to work on shot high quality and we’ve acquired to put the ball within the basket,” Vogel stated.

The offensive futility has made the Lakers a simple goal, each on the court docket and psychologically.

Westbrook has been probably the most frequent goal, from opposing area DJs enjoying Foreigner’s “Chilly as Ice” after his pictures to the “Westbrick” controversy in San Antonio to thoughts video games from Patrick Beverley on Wednesday, the pesky guard sagging deep within the paint to shut the passing lanes and pressure turnovers.

Clearly unintimidated, the Timberwolves jawed and celebrated within the Lakers’ faces, completely emboldened to do or say no matter as a result of they sensed the Lakers’ incapacity to cease them.

Whereas James wrote the discuss off as “a part of the sport,” Westbrook’s dismissal was extra pointed.

“I actually pay no thoughts to it,” Westbrook stated. “Possibly the opposite guys [do]. However they weren’t speaking to me. They had been speaking to particular person guys significantly, however the trash-talking doesn’t trouble me none. No one over there has executed something on this league that will make me choose my eyes up like, ‘Oh, they’re speaking mess. Let me reply.’

“No, it’s nice. They’re good. They gained the sport, completely happy for them, transfer onto the following one. And that’s that.”

The Timberwolves had been speaking to Westbrook. And James. And Malik Monk. . And everybody else in a Lakers jersey. And making some pictures could be a simple option to possibly quiet some opponents who’re reveling within the Lakers’ failings.

It’s simpler stated than executed. With the Lakers’ confidence probably shaken, they should play extra aggressively and with extra swagger. However to achieve these issues, they first must play effectively.

Ellington, who discovered himself again within the rotation Wednesday, got here in and made the primary three for the Lakers after the crew missed its earlier 10. He is aware of that these issues are sophisticated.

“I simply really feel like there’s a rhythm to the sport. And we’ve gotten lots of clear appears to be like, open appears to be like tonight. Sadly, it’s sort of contagious,” Ellington stated. “When you see a few them come out, you’re like, ‘Man, the following one’s acquired to go in.’ Begin urgent a little bit bit, begin feeling that power. On the similar time, like I stated, we’ve been getting some clear appears to be like, some attractiveness. We’ve acquired to step up and knock these down.

“… The following sport is a brand new sport. I’m assured we’ll get sizzling in Toronto and make 20 threes.”

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