The NBA regular season continues with the Lakers defeating the Hawks 119-102 at home, securing their second consecutive win. The Lakers started strong with high offensive efficiency but struggled with turnovers, preventing them from widening the gap. They led by only three points in the first quarter, 31-28. In the second quarter, both teams remained closely matched until the Lakers increased their defensive intensity in the latter half, establishing a slight advantage. In the third quarter, the Lakers quickly extended their lead to over ten points, but they experienced another offensive outage towards the end, committing multiple errors and turnovers, allowing the Hawks to close the gap to five points. Fortunately, James returned to help the team maintain a ten-point lead going into the final quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Lakers maintained a lead of around ten points, and crucially, they extended the margin to over fifteen points with consecutive three-pointers, making the game less suspenseful and ultimately securing the victory. With this win, the Lakers' record stands at 20 wins and 14 losses. So, where exactly did they win this game? Perhaps the data can provide some answers.
James had an impressive performance, shooting 13 out of 20 from the field, including 2 out of 5 from beyond the arc, and 2 out of 2 from the free-throw line, scoring 30 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out 8 assists, and committing 3 turnovers. Today, James continued his good shooting form from the previous game. Although he didn't appear particularly aggressive on offense or forceful in breaking through, his shooting efficiency was very high, and he managed to make various difficult shots. In situations where he wasn't holding the ball for long periods, James has adapted well to his new role. It must be acknowledged that the Lakers are using James intelligently and cautiously, ensuring he maintains high efficiency on the court without standing there aimlessly for extended periods.
Davis, after taking a break, seemed very excited today, showing that his energy levels were indeed high as he dominated under the basket. However, his shooting outside the paint wasn't as effective, with low accuracy when not close to the basket. Despite this, Davis' defensive impact remains unparalleled, and he and Hayes give off different vibes.
Reeves started the game somewhat confused, with turnovers and missed shots, but he demonstrated strong adjustment capabilities. In the third quarter, he hit consecutive three-pointers, scoring 11 points individually, which helped the Lakers establish a double-digit lead. Reeves needs to adapt more to his new and more important role.
Christie showed stability today, although with limited opportunities, he managed to capitalize on most of them, playing smartly and patiently. Without forcing plays, he focused on defense, and Christie is increasingly aware of what he can do to positively contribute to the team, with his steadiness enhancing his performance.
Hachimura's state improved today, playing more aggressively and seizing several opportunities for offensive rebounds. After having some of his playing time taken by Finney-Smith, Hachimura seems to have developed a sense of urgency, focusing more on rebounding, which is beneficial for the Lakers.
Among the bench players, Finney-Smith shot 3 out of 5 from the field, including 2 out of 3 from three-point range, scoring 8 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. His defense was solid, and he finally found his rhythm and finishing touch from beyond the arc, gradually integrating into the Lakers' system. Knecht shot 4 out of 7 from the field, including 3 out of 4 from three-point range, and 2 out of 2 from the free-throw line, scoring 13 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 1 assist, making 1 steal, and committing 1 turnover. On the offensive end, the young player is starting to regain his shooting feel and confidence, but he needs to play smarter.
The remaining bench players, Hayes, Milton, and Reddish, performed moderately, not contributing much, but in the face of the Lakers' ongoing injuries, they still managed to contribute without making significant mistakes.