An issue that has plagued the Los Angeles Lakers all season long has been their third quarters. No matter what strategies head coach JJ Redick has tried to employ, the Lakers have oftentimes come out of halftime flat and not executing.
This has often led to a close game turning into a blowout, or the lead the Lakers built in the first half quickly disappearing. Against the New York Knicks on Sunday night, the Lakers were outscored by 12, seeing a four-point halftime lead turn into an eight-point deficit. Earlier this week against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was even worse as the Lakers were outscored by 22 in the third after trailing by just two at the half.
It is an issue that sorely needs to be fixed and Lakers center Deandre Ayton acknowledged that following the loss on Sunday night. Ayton noted that the Lakers must sharpen up their third quarters and revealed that it was something the team addressed, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Most definitely gotta sharpen up the third quarter, don’t wanna make that a habit. We confronted it as well, after this game. Having a big game like this, we definitely pointed that out as one of our things we need to pick up and just come together collectively and be accountable.”
This isn’t the first season this has been an issue for the Lakers as it seems to have been an ongoing problem for many years under multiple coaches. For whatever reason, this team has just struggled coming out of the half and it turns what should be easy wins into tense games and potential tough wins into blowout losses.
For his part, the Lakers need Ayton to be more consistent as well, especially on the glass and the defensive end. He has shown the ability to affect games with his physicality and athleticism, but the variance in his performance is not ideal. It is on the team’s playmakers to keep him involved offensively, but he is needed to be the anchor on defense and perhaps that can help the Lakers come out of the locker room with more intensity and fire.
LeBron James says Lakers need to feed Deandre Ayton
LeBron James also understands the importance of keeping Deandre Ayton involved offensively and made it clear that the the Lakers must continue to feed him as he is important to the success of this team.
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