The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 142-130 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, despite lacking strong defense and bench scoring. However, the starters’ combined scoring of 137 points made these issues less critical.
LeBron James marked his return from a three-game absence with 18 points and seven assists, while Luka Doncic achieved a career-high 51 points as a Laker. The Lakers may struggle defensively, but their potent offense poses a threat to any team.
Single Ball Challenge for Lakers’ Offense
While the Lakers excelled without James, winning all three games by substantial margins, they improved further with his return. The team recorded 31 assists, and James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves shot an impressive 37 of 64 (57.8 percent), including 13 of 23 from beyond the arc.
All three key scorers can create their own shots, with Doncic averaging 32.9 points, Reaves 23.9, and James 21.4 PPG. However, this sometimes results in them taking turns rather than moving the ball effectively.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised James for enabling Doncic and Reaves to perform at their best, as James focused on facilitating rather than dominating scoring. Center Deandre Ayton also showed consistency, scoring 23 points on 10 of 13 shooting, following a strong previous game.
Lakers’ Defense Might Not Need Improvement
If the Lakers maintain their scoring pace of 122.5 points during their current 7-1 stretch, their weak defense may become less of an issue. Their offensive strength helps mask defensive shortcomings.
The Lakers often struggle with transition defense, particularly with getting back quickly. A high shooting percentage helps minimize this problem because it results in fewer fast breaks for opponents. It’s easier to set their defense after a made basket than after a missed one.
They have also significantly reduced turnovers, minimizing opponents’ fast-break opportunities. In the past 15 games, only the Orlando Magic have recorded fewer turnovers. During Thursday’s game, the Lakers limited their turnovers to just nine.
While some teams rely on defense to ignite their offense, the Lakers are successfully utilizing their scoring to protect their defense.