After building an early 19-point lead versus the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers came apart at the seams. It happened quickly, and they never recovered, losing 130-120 in a game that was more lopsided than that score may suggest.
They were lit up like the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza, especially in the second quarter, when Sacramento made 14 straight shots, outscored them 44-20 and seemingly couldn’t miss from 3-point range. De’Aaron Fox tied his career-high with 44 points, and L.A. seemingly couldn’t do anything to at least make him work for his points.
Anthony Davis, who spent a good portion of the game in foul trouble, said something after the game that may have sounded to some as if he was second-guessing head coach Darvin Ham’s defensive strategy (at :58).
Anthony Davis on what went wrong for the Lakers in the second quarter and down the stretch against the Kings. pic.twitter.com/lbsPjLcT2h
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 7, 2024
“That was a game that we needed. … We came out with all the energy on both ends of the floor. And then the second quarter dictated the game. Some of the things we were in defensively allowed De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk to get whatever they want, live up in the paint. If I go help, then (Domantas) Sabonis is wide open.”
“They did a good job manipulating what we were doing.”
Ham said his team needed to force Fox, who is left-handed, to go to his right. But Fox was able to get a lot of his points in the paint, and there simply wasn’t enough defensive pressure on the perimeter in general, which has been a problem for L.A. all season.
Fans and pundits alike have criticized Ham for his strategy, rotations and lineups. With each inexcusable loss such as Wednesday’s, more eyes will be fixated on him as he attempts to guide his squad back to the playoffs.