For the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, a home game might be just what the doctor ordered after two straight losses away from home. On Wednesday, LeBron James and the Lake Show will host the Miami Heat to begin a five-game homestand. This comes after their defeats on Saturday and Sunday by the Minnesota Timberwolves (108-106) and the New Orleans Pelicans (129-109).
“It might be harmful to us in the sense that you get used to feeling at home. After the Pelicans defeat, the four-time league Most Valuable Player stated in the locker room, “So we have to understand that, yes, just because we’re home we really can’t relax now” (h/t ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).
Since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament championship game over the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers have been experiencing on-court malaise. After that win over Tyrese Haliburton and company, they have only won three times in their last eleven games.
Their defense has been giving the team fits when it’s not their offense that’s not working. When Los Angeles plays the Heat, who have been playing better lately than the Lakers, they will be hoping that the team can play cohesively on both ends of the court.
