Lakers Weekly Roundup Week 3: Keeping Up Momentum

The Lakers continue to stay hot after their opening loss to the Clippers. Start slow, finish strong has been the mantra for this Laker squad in all of their wins so far this season. Whether they can sustain this trajectory remains to be seen as the season progresses. Let's see how they fared this week?

11/05: @ Chicago 118-112 [W] (6-1)

HIGHLIGHTS

This had "trap game" written all over it. The first half pushed that narrative when the Bulls were up big. They were firing all cylinders from three. The Lakers usually go off to a slow start, but pick it up in the 2nd half. But down 48-65 in the first half? Quite a mountain to climb. But, LeBron accepted the challenge as he literally was the only player showed up and kept the Lakers afloat. Then the amazing run, lead by Alex Caruso, Quinn Cook, Dwight Howard, and Kyle Kuzma happened as the Lakers stormed back to take the lead and take control of the game for good. Anthony Davis had some hometown butterflies this game, but made up for it in the final minutes of the fourth quarter with a dagger 3 and an alley oop jam. LeBron once again triple-doubled with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. If there was a key to the Lakers' three-game road sweep, it was that LeBron had a triple-double in all three games. Meanwhile Quinn Cook and Kuzma lead the bench with 17 points and 15 points. This game, it did look like Kuz was getting his rhythm back. Once he gets back to form, look out.

11/08: vs. Miami 80-95 [W] (7-1)

HIGHLIGHTS

Unlike the last few games, the Lakers said "to hell with a slow start, let's get off to a fast start." And they got off to a fast start indeed in the first quarter. The key thing here was that Miami was coming off a shootout win over the Phoenix Suns while the Lakers had a few days to get ready for this game. The Heat still managed to make it tough on the Lakers with their patented 2-3 zone defense. You wonder why they've been a tough opponent for the Lakers in the past 10 years? That 2-3 zone gave them all kinds of fits. But, the Lakers managed to find a crack in that 2-3 zone, by having LeBron, AD, and JaVale McGee attack the middle as quickly as possible. LeBron knows this defense very well since his Heat playing days so of course he knows how to solve it. He and AD put the team on their back and dominated inside to give the Lakers' their 7th straight win.

11/10: vs. Toronto 113-104 [L] (7-2)

HIGHLIGHTS

Honestly, did you expect Toronto to lay down? They are the defending champs for a reason and will be known that way throughout the season until further notice. The travesty behind the Lakers' 2nd loss was that the Raptors were shorthanded this game. No Kyle Lowry. No Serge Ibaka. But, they still managed to beat the Lakers with solid defense and better overall offense thanks to big performances from Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. This was supposed to be a revenge game for Danny Green, but he was a non-factor this game. LeBron had another triple-double, but the numbers were very pedestrian: 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 15 assists...on 5-15 shooting. Age concerns are in play once again for LeBron  when he has two shots blocked by Chris Boucher. Add insult to injury, the Clippers just beat the Raptors in Toronto's back-to-back stint against the LA teams. Alright Doc you know what to do. Manage Kawhi's load will ya? In all seriousness, this loss can be considered good for the Lakers to stay level-headed in this still way too early season.