Los Angeles Lakers: 3 questions looming large as the postseason nears

Can the Lakers protect the perimeter?

Heading into the restart, the Los Angeles Lakers knew they would be without starting shooting guard Avery Bradley, a critical factor in their success all season. Bradley’s versatility as a defender, arguably one of the best on the perimeter throughout the association, would not be easy to replicate. As suspected, the veteran’s absence has taken its toll on this team.

Six games into the restart, opposing teams have feasted on the Lakers’ defense, particularly from deep. Opponents averaged 36.1 percent from 3-point territory against Los Angeles in the restart to this point, above the league average.

• LA Clippers – 44.4%
• Toronto Raptors – 41.2%
• Utah Jazz – 27.9%
• Oklahoma City Thunder – 20.8%
• Houston Rockets – 36.8%
• Indiana Pacers: 45.5%

Although a small sample size, Bradley’s absence has undoubtedly played a part in their inability to stop opponents from capitalizing on 3-point opportunities. On the season, the Lakers rank sixth in opponent 3-point percentage, coming in at 34.4 percent, a number that has dipped since Bradley opted out of the restart and will continue to do so.

For example, just recently, in Saturday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, the backcourt of Victor Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon was a combined 6-for-10 from 3-point territory, taking advantage of the Bradley-less Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ defense will certainly have to tighten up if they want to keep opponents from shooting them out of games. The loss of Avery Bradley undoubtedly hurts, but with players such as J.R. Smith and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, among others, on the roster, someone else will have to step up defensively if this team wants to succeed.