Los Angeles Lakers: 3 goals leading into the NBA playoffs

Los Angeles Lakers goal No. 3 for the NBA playoffs: Stop turning the ball over

The Lakers turned the ball over 15.3 times per game this season which is at a similar level to last season. However, last season they were better equipped to deal with these turnovers thanks to their ability to create on offense.

This season the Lakers have the second-best defense in the league but their offense is ranked 22nd, scoring only 109.5 points per game. A lot of this is due to their main stars missing so many games this season and it is a big reason they are in the play-in tournament.

They are now taking on the best teams in the league, teams who are able to punish others who turn the ball over, especially with transition buckets. Now that the teams are in playoff mode, defenses are going to be even more locked in than they were in the regular season.

The Lakers now have one of the longest roads to climb if they are going to keep their hopes of repeating as champions. Their defense is still strong, however, without taking better care of the ball they are a good chance of getting knocked out in the first round.