This season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ performance has been inconsistent. Their position in the Western Conference has ranged from second to sixth, raising questions about their ability to compete against good teams.
At the start of March, the Lakers stood sixth in the West with a 12-17 record against teams with winning records. However, in the last three weeks, they have turned things around, going 9-1 and enjoying a seven-game winning streak.
Thanks to this successful month, they have moved up to third place. Their 5-1 record against winning teams proves they can hold their own against top NBA teams.
So, what has led to this impressive run? The answer lies in their defense.
Defensive issues have plagued the Lakers for much of the season. They allow an average of 114.9 points per game, with a point differential around plus-1.5, indicating a narrow margin for victory.
This month, the Lakers have increased their defensive intensity, particularly in forcing turnovers.
In their last 10 games, they have had a positive turnover margin seven times and recorded 10 or more steals in six games. This has significantly boosted their offense, leading to a 228-159 advantage in points off turnovers. Even if this output isn’t sustainable, the Lakers don’t need to be a top defensive team to secure wins. They have won all three games in which they lost the turnover battle.
If the Lakers can maintain their ability to force turnovers and keep the margin manageable, the scoring efforts of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves should help them when defensive lapses occur.
This strategy seems effective. During this 10-game stretch, the Lakers have defeated four playoff teams, including back-to-back wins against the Houston Rockets and a thrilling last-second victory over the Denver Nuggets. Notably, they achieved wins over the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves without LeBron James.
While it’s early to draw conclusions, March may point to a new style of play that could set the Lakers up for a strong playoff performance.