The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz, 130-116, on Friday night, and the loss popped the budding momentum they had.
Yes, defense was the main culprit. It was the first time L.A. gave up over 111 points in regulation since opening night.
But there was another factor in the loss: Anthony Davis.
He played outstanding ball in the first half, scoring 20 points while being active defensively and on the boards, as he has been all season. But for some reason, he produced only four shot attempts after halftime, scoring two points.
After the game, Davis held himself accountable.
Via Lakers Nation:
“Demanding the ball … I can’t allow myself to go for four, five or six minutes without getting a shot whether I’m hot or not.”
Head coach Darvin Ham admitted the team focused more on defense than offense in training camp, so its defense should be ahead of its offense early in the season.
While the Lakers need to make defensive adjustments in the wake of their loss on Friday, they also need to find ways to get Davis the ball more, not just in the low post but also by getting him on the move and toward the basket.
Overall, he has played very well on both ends of the floor to start the season, and good things tend to happen when they make him the focal point of their set offense.
