After leading by double digits against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers lost their focus in the second half as Kobe Bryant missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.
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Following another loss at home and their 13th loss of the 2014-15 season, Kobe said transition defense was the biggest issue for the team according to the official Lakers account:
Kobe says the biggest issue was transition defense: "We were giving up wide-open shots. We were shooting ourselves in the foot."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 29, 2014
In the second half, the Lakers gave up 66 points as they were unable to contain rookie Zach LaVine who finished with 28 points on 11 for 14 shooting in just 26 minutes. While the Lakers had no issues scoring the ball themselves, the effort on the defensive end was nonexistent as they continually gave up layups and wide open jumpers.
With a 1-8 record at Staples Center, the Lakers finish their four-game homestand against the Toronto Raptors, who currently have the best record (13-3) in the Eastern Conference on Sunday. After hosting the Raptors, the Lakers go on a three-game road trip and play the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics.
[divide]Post-Game: Nick Young, ‘We should have stayed with what we [were] doing when we [were] winning”