The Los Angeles Lakers hung tough with one of the Western Conference’s best teams, but ultimately fell to the Portland Trail Blazers, 98-94. The Lakers actually led throughout much of the game despite missing both Kobe Bryant and Wesley Johnson.
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With the team now sitting at 11-24, hopes are low among many fans. Jeremy Lin, however, believes the team is headed in the right direction according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters via Time Warner Cable SportsNet:
Jeremy Lin: "I honestly believe we're headed in the right direction." (on @TWCSportsNet)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 6, 2015
Lin may have a point on the subject. Even though the Lakers have lost seven of their last 10 games, only one of the seven losses was by double-digits and many of the games have come down to the last couple of possessions.
The Lakers were put in a difficult position. The roster is not necessarily the most talented and when that is combined with a new coach and the toughest schedule in the league so far, it is hard for them to succeed.
Things have seemed to pick up lately, and team growth is not always shown in the record. The ball is moving more on offense, and defensive intensity has really picked up as of late.
If the Lakers can continue the way they are playing and get more experience in these close-game situations, it is only a matter of time before these late-game losses become wins.
[divide]Lakers Jeremy Lin On Bench Identity, Kobe Bryant’s Advice To Relax