The Los Angeles Lakers could not overcome an embarrassing 0-18 start against the Miami Heat at Staples Center, and eventually lost due to their inability to make plays late. Despite the slow first quarter, the Lakers had opportunities, but Kobe Bryant could not come through in the clutch.
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The Heat ended up winning the game by three, 78-75, and gave the Lakers their 27th loss of the season. Up next for Los Angeles are the Cleveland Cavaliers, who just got LeBron James back into the lineup after dealing with several injuries.
Jeremy Lin spoke to the media after the loss to the Heat and talked about the matchup against James and the Cavs, via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
J. Lin on playing vs. struggling Cavs Thursday: “Hopefully they keep struggling,” smiles “Hopefully we can get a win. That’d be great.”
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 14, 2015
The Cavs are currently on a six-game losing streak and a game under .500 with a 19-20 record. After all the hype surrounding this team over the summer, the Cavs do not look like a championship contender at the mid-point of the season. It has been reported coach Blatt does not have the backing of all of his players and the overall team performance on defense is mediocre to say the least.
After two consecutive losses, Kobe and the Lakers will look to earn their 13th win of the season. With all the attention on Kobe and LeBron, it may be one of the final matchups between the two as the five-time champion is expected to retire at the end of his current two-year contract.
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