The pain of losing often highlights errors, and the Los Angeles Lakers made a lot of them in their defeat to the Sacramento Kings on March 6.
Lakers star LeBron James pointed to several important reasons: Kings superstar De’Aaron Fox having the Lakers’ number, former teammate Malik Monk, and Anthony Davis getting an early second foul in the first quarter.
Davis, who mentioned that the foul was questionable, also highlighted a more worrying problem.
“That was a game that we required. … We came out with all the energy on both ends of the court. And then the second quarter controlled the game. Some of the things we were doing defensively allowed De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk to get whatever they want, live up in the paint. If I go help, then [Domantas] Sabonis is wide open.”
“They did a good job manipulating what we were doing.”
“It was questionable foul calls,” Davis said. “It’s tough to play in foul trouble. You don’t want to pick up any cheap ones. But, yeah, when I’m down on the floor, our defense is a different team.”
Head Coach Darvin Ham has come under fire for his lack of in-game adjustments. And while Davis did not directly criticize his coach – he refused to say if challenging the call would have made a difference – he was clearly unhappy with the gameplan and/or the lack of adjustments.
Kings Social Media Team Takes Shot at Lakers’ Anthony Davis
Sabonis achieved a triple-double with 16 points, 20 rebounds, 12 assists, and two steals. Davis ended with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and one block. He struggled from the field, though, shooting 5-for-13 (38.5%).
Davis’ presence has not mattered much when Sabonis has been on the other side, though.
He also faced criticism for his winless record against Sabonis, which dates back to Davis’ time with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sabonis’ time with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Davis has often come out with the statistical advantage individually. But Sabonis has achieved the stat that matters most: wins. That is significant to this season’s playoff race as well, something Davis noted going into the first matchup and mentioned again in the aftermath.
Lakers ‘Needed’ to Beat Kings
“That’s a very important game,” Davis said from the Lakers’ locker room on March 4. “We play them twice within the next week or so, so that’s going to be a big game. And then the one next week is going to be a big game, so we got to come in and take care of business.”
The Lakers are 0-3 against the Kings this season.
Their lead in the Western Conference standings is 2.5 games entering play on March 7, leaving Davis to lament the missed opportunity after their blown 19-point lead.
“It sucks, especially in a must-win game that we needed,” Davis said. “We, I think, a game and a half behind them. So needing to get this one, and then get a chance to see them next week. Would’ve been a big win for us.”
The Lakers’ next game is at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8.
