Last Week: Lost/OT to Washington Wizards 127-124, Lost Utah Jazz 114-89, Beat the Portland Trail Blazers 102-93
This Week: 2/28 at Golden State Warriors, 3/2 vs. Phoenix Suns, 3/3at Sacramento Kings
This was obviously a rough week for the Los Angeles Lakers. Dating back to last week, the reigning champions lost four games in a row. They truly missed Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroeder and their offense was not able to function properly. The shooting for the role players has been faltering for the better part of the last month so losing additional offensive fulcrums was crippling.
The Washington Wizards loss was more frustrating than anything. LeBron James put up the numbers (31 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds) but was lackadaisical and the Lakers lost a game they had no business losing. The Utah Jazz loss was another matter entirely. The Jazz tend to have that affect on teams this season.
Getting right against the Portland Trail Blazers is a good way to finish the week. Schroeder was back and suddenly having another 20-point scorer in the lineup opened things up. The offense was still clunky (42.0 percent from the field and 25.9 percent from distance) but it was a step in the right direction. Weathering the storm until Anthony Davis is able to come back is the next step. Wherever they end up on these rankings from week to week is the most immaterial of anyone on this list.