The Lakers are outscored 78-46 in the paint and outrebounded by 15 in a 114-110 loss to last-place Houston that could haunt them down the road in a tight playoff race.
HOUSTON — In the Lakers’ determination to replace Anthony Davis by committee, the committee underwhelmed.
Wednesday night’s 114-110 road defeat to the Houston Rockets could haunt the Lakers in the weeks to come if they find themselves on the wrong end of a top-six playoff seed – or worse. Taking caution by resting their elite big man, the Lakers entered the night with only one true center, Wenyen Gabriel, and the void in the middle was glaring.
In the end, it looked closer than it really was: The Lakers might have had a miracle opportunity to inbound for a tie with less than a second remaining if Austin Reaves, who scored a team-high 24 points, hadn’t missed one of his final free throws. But in reality, the Lakers were chasing the Rockets all night and shooting 37.8% overall and 11 for 44 from 3-point range didn’t help much.
The defeat is sure to keep pressure on the franchise, which rested Davis as part of a medical strategy to keep him from aggravating his right foot stress reaction. Davis called the situation “frustrating” on Tuesday, acknowledging that every game counts in a standings chase that has so far refused to provide much clarity for the nine Western Conference teams that are constantly swapping seats.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anthony Davis to sit out against Rockets, leaving Lakers shorthandedDavis has not felt pain in his right foot, but the stress reaction is considered “an active injury,” so the team continues to use caution with its star big man amid the playoff chase.
Read more »
Lakers Crush Pelicans 123-108, Anthony Davis Scores 35Anthony Davis has 35 points and 17 rebounds, Malik Beasley hit seven 3-pointers in just the first half, and the Los Angeles Lakers took a 36-point, second-quarter lead on their way to a 123-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.
Read more »
Rockets vs. Lakers: Five things to watch in Wednesday's gameThe Rockets will try to make it consecutive wins when they host the LeBron James-less...
Read more »
Davis, Lakers lead by 35 at half, beat Pelicans 123-108- Anthony Davis' dominance inside and Malik Beasley's blazing start from behind the 3-point arc all but put away the Pelicans before halftime in a game that could prove pivotal in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Read more »
Rockets 111, Celtics 109: Houston holds on for upset winThe Rockets pulled off one of their best wins of the season Monday in Toyota Center.
Read more »
Rockets insider: Growing pains pay off with poise under pressureWhen the Rockets held on to stun the Celtics, they believed they won because of what they...
Read more »