Coming into the season, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers to have issues on the defensive end due to their lack of defenders, speed and athleticism. But come December, these problems may be more serious than many expect.
On Tuesday, they lost 128-106 to the Detroit Pistons in their final game of the month. All told, they entered December with a 15-4 record and finished with a 5-7 record, with blood continuing to pour from the wounds caused by their recent losses.
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As of Tuesday, the Lakers’ defensive rating in December was 122.4, ranking 29th in the NBA. They rank 29th in fast break points per game and 28th in points off turnovers per game.
Compared to the Detroit Pistons, one of the best fast break teams in the NBA, Los Angeles gave up 31 points on the fast break and gave up 30 points on 21 turnovers. At times, Detroit seemed to score at will in the paint, and in fact, they outscored Los Angeles 74-44 in the paint.
It’s no secret that defense is the key to winning a championship, and if the Lakers don’t address their defensive issues soon, they could end up in the play-offs for the fourth time in the past six seasons.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: How bad was the Lakers defense throughout December?
