The Los Angeles Lakers made the third stop on their four-game road trip last night, falling to the Indiana Pacers 115-108. The Lakers struggled with foul issues all game and Julius Randle fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
The loss for the Lakers dropped their record 1-3 and has brought the team back down to earth after an inspiring win on opening night. Despite the losses and struggles, however, Randle is keeping a positive outlook on things.
After the game, Randle noted that the Lakers have been in position to win every game so far this season and could be 4-0 if some things had gone differently according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters (via Spectrum SportsNet):
Julius Randle: "We’re putting ourselves in positions to win & we could easily be 4-0, but we’re 1-3.”
(on @SpectrumSN)— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 2, 2016
Randle is right about the Lakers having a chance to win every game. The Lakers had a late lead in Indiana, were within two points late in Utah, and even in Oklahoma City they cut the lead to four points with around four minutes remaining.
One thing that has been obvious with this Lakers team has been their heart. The team continues to fight when they fall behind instead of crumbling at the first sign of things getting out of hand. That change is a huge step for the young Lakers, but the next step is a tougher one. Randle, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and company will have to learn to get over that hump and turn these close losses into wins.
Randle has shown great development this season, stepping up as a playmaker and more efficient scorer while maintaining his great rebounding ability. The Lakers as a whole are getting better which is why these games are close, now it will be up to them to keep progressing.