Dave McMenaminMar 22, 2025, 09:53 PM ET
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- Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
- Coated the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers have been entire for the primary time in weeks Saturday with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura getting back from damage. After which their sloppy ball coverage and porous protection dug a hollow they could not to find their means out of in a 146-115 blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Despite the fact that James’ presence, after a two-week absence as a result of a strained left groin, used to be welcome, as used to be Hachimura’s after he overlooked just about a month as a result of tendinopathy in his left knee, the end result used to be a reminder of the crew’s precarious place with 12 video games last within the common season.
Los Angeles (43-27) is No. 4 within the Western Convention and simply 2½ video games at the back of the No. 2 Houston Rockets. On the other hand, the Lakers also are simply 3 video games up at the No. 7 LA Clippers, who’re the top-seeded play-in match crew within the West.
“We were given 12 video games to place ourselves within the postseason,” James mentioned after posting 17 issues on 7-of-16 taking pictures, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 5 turnovers in opposition to the Bulls. “We just about can keep an eye on our personal future if we win ballgames and now not should be within the play-in.”
Lakers trainer JJ Redick has mentioned that the purpose for his crew is securing the No. 6 seed or higher so it may well financial institution per week of leisure and preparation between the tip of the common season and the beginning of the playoffs slightly than face a must-win situation within the play-in match, which Los Angeles has handled 3 of the previous 4 years.
“I believe that is a great way to take a look at it. … floor 0,” Redick mentioned. “Those subsequent 12 video games, you have to refind your means. It is a without end flowing river that now we have hastily run right into a beaver’s [dam] … and we were given to get in a position to get the water flowing once more.”
Rarely the rest flowed for Los Angeles in opposition to Chicago, in particular in the second one part when the Lakers have been outscored 81-53.
“I believe our key’s going to be the protection,” Hachimura mentioned. “Our protection used to be terrible nowadays. We were not locked into our sport plans and the whole lot. We did not execute. They have been getting the whole lot — 3s, transition, layups, pick-and-roll, no matter. So we simply were given to, I believe, center of attention on protection.”
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All 5 Bulls starters scored in double digits, led by way of Coby White’s 36 issues. Rookie Matas Buzelis scored a season-best 31 issues. Josh Giddey neared a quadruple-double with 15 issues, 17 assists, 10 rebounds and eight steals.
Despite the fact that the Lakers’ protection used to be picked aside, their offense did not fare significantly better. Luka Doncic scored 29 issues within the first part, however completed with simply 34 — and seven turnovers. Los Angeles dedicated 21 turnovers, resulting in 27 issues for the Bulls. “I will’t be shedding the ball seven occasions,” Doncic mentioned. “That is means too many for me.”
Lingering too lengthy at the loss to the Bulls may not lend a hand, on the other hand. Los Angeles has to shift center of attention in a rush. The Lakers get started a four-game street shuttle Monday in opposition to the Orlando Magic, adopted by way of Indiana, Chicago and Memphis. 8 of the Lakers’ ultimate 12 video games are at the street; they nonetheless have 3 back-to-back units last, and simplest 4 in their last video games are in opposition to groups outdoor of the tip 8 in both convention.
Plus, having James and Hachimura again within the lineup doesn’t suggest the Lakers are totally again.
Hachimura (5 issues on 2-for-6 taking pictures and a couple of rebounds in 18 mins in opposition to Chicago) shall be limited to twenty to 24 mins shifting ahead. And his knee remains to be simplest “70-80%” in his estimation. “My knee goes to be like that for some time, I believe,” he mentioned. “I will’t in reality get again to 100% straight away. I were given to leisure for a very long time to get again to customary. However I do not believe we have now that, so we simply were given to take care of and organize it.”
James wasn’t in a position to mention he used to be totally recovered from his groin damage, both. “I simply take it day-to-day,” he mentioned. “I’m hoping it is at the back of [me], however I do not wish to cross too a ways sooner or later.”
For a gaggle that has taken at the Redick’s identification by way of embracing pageant this season, the way it responds to demanding situations over the following 3 weeks will in large part resolve the good fortune of its season.
“I believe we are in a great place,” Doncic mentioned. “Clearly, nowadays wasn’t a just right sport for us, however I believe we are in a great place. Now we have were given to play laborious each and every sport to check out to not get within the play-in and check out to get the best possible seed we will be able to.”
