Why Did the Lakers’ Defense Collapse So Dramatically Against the Heat?
The Lakers suffered a historic 134-93 loss to the Miami Heat, conceding a franchise-record 24 three-pointers. Tyler Herro’s nine threes were part of a performance that exposed glaring defensive issues, especially on the perimeter. This marked the Lakers’ sixth loss in eight games, raising questions about their ability to adjust defensively and maintain consistency.
While injuries have been a storyline for this team, is it fair to attribute this blowout solely to player availability? Could coaching or roster construction be at the heart of the issue?
Looking at the stats: the Heat shot over 40% from deep, while the Lakers managed just 25%. The disparity in ball movement and defensive rotations was evident. For a team with championship aspirations, where do they go from here?
What adjustments should the Lakers make to address these glaring weaknesses, and how much blame should fall on the players versus the coaching staff?