Luka Doncic and the Lakers trapped by the Suns’ defense

With a slightly more precise gesture, he would undoubtedly have signed the pass of the evening. A few seconds after the start of the game against the Sans, Luka Dončić he grabbed a defensive rebound and attempted a catapult-style laser pass to Rui Hachimura who went on the counterattack alone. But the Japanese failed to use the ball, which is why the Slovenian lost the ball.

The first in a very long series for him. With a particularly disastrous run as the break approaches. An over-ambitious lofted pass to Jackson Hayes, which was deflected by Mark Williams, a backhand ball by Jemari Boujea on the restart and another too-predictable pass to Jake LaRavi.

Three possessions, the same number of balls were lost by Luka Doncic, who would lose one more by forcing a pass under the circle to Deandre Ayton. “ I feel like it was definitely a different defense than other teams, trying to let me go and score instead of creating for others. So it was a little confusing. But we can’t afford it », he reacted after the match.

With his performance of 38 points (15/26 shooting), 11 rebounds and 5 lost passes, Luka Dončić considers this setback to be his ” mistake » and that he cannot afford to lose so many balls: a total of 9! Equal career “record”. “ There’s no way I’m going to end up with nine turnovers! “, he insists.

Austin Reaves also wasted five balls, LeBron James three others, for a total of 22 “misses” on the Lakers side, compared to half as many for their opponents. This difference fueled the column of points scored after Suns turnovers (32, against 13), as well as on the counterattack (28, against… 2). There’s no need to look any further for one of the great explanations for the Lakers’ loss.

Play more physical

« Systemically, they never did a ‘blitz’ or anything like that. Mark Williams has done a great job for his size alone. He has the second longest wingspan in the NBA. So, whether it was a post-play, a no-ball move or a pick-and-roll, he was always in the middle of the racket. And their backs did a good job and got us going. », analyzed by JJ Reddick.

He adds: ” And once you get inside, in that tight space, you won’t be able to pass the ball. And that led to big upheavals. » And a lot of steals for the Suns, who had 16 steals, where Deandre Ayton signed… the only steal of the night for the Lakers.

While the Lakers are getting ready to start a series of matches in the East (Raptors, Celtics and Sixers), Luka Doncic is already giving instructions to his team: ” First of all, take care of the ball, obviously, but then be a little bit physical. I feel like they threw a lot of shots as well, so we’ll have to work on that as well. So, take care of the ball in attack and be more physical in defense. »

Not forgetting to show a good amount of desire because in this match the Suns were obviously hungrier. ” If you don’t play hard against this team, you will be blown away », formulates JJ Redick who could not help but notice it.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.