Coming off Friday’s heroic win over the Toronto Raptors, the Los Angeles Lakers looked poised for back-to-back wins for the first time in many weeks early in Saturday’s contest against the Washington Wizards.
L.A. got off to a 36-26 lead at the end of the first quarter, It led by as many as 15 in the third period, but then it lost its mojo.
The Wizards went on a 10-2 run to end the quarter and pulled to within six at the start of the fourth quarter. Midway through the final frame, they took the lead, as the Lakers could not stop Washington center Kristaps Porzingis, who had 27 points.
Defense – one of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses this season, was ultimately their downfall in their 127-119 loss. They allowed the Wizards to shoot 51.8 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from 3-point range for the game while also allowing 31 free throw attempts.