If someone told you that the Los Angeles Lakers shot below 20 percent from the free throw line and still beat the Indiana Pacers by double digits, you'd probably think that person was insane. About 99 percent of the time, no one would blame you for having such a reaction.
However, tonight was that rare one percent where you'll have to be a believer because the Lakers beat the Pacers 99-86 despite shooting an abysmal 2-of-14 (14.3 percent) from the free throw line. In the process, the Lakers made NBA history on Friday night at Staples Center.
According to a tweet after the game from Danny Leroux of RealGM Radio, the Lakers became the first team in NBA history to win a game despite shooting under 20 percent from the free throw line.
The LA Lakers just became the first team in NBA history to win a game where they shot below 20% from the free throw line https://t.co/6le8WrqErw
— Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) January 20, 2018
The Lakers, who pulled away down the stretch in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 15 points, were led by an outstanding team defensive effort despite not having the services of small forward Brandon Ingram (sprained left ankle), rookie point guard Lonzo Ball (sore left knee), and shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (strained right Achilles) due to injuries.
On the night, shooting guard Jordan Clarkson was a major spark off the bench for the Lakers as he led all scorers with a season-high 33 points on 14-of-19 shooting, seven assists, and seven rebounds in the win.
The Lakers' defense held the Pacers to just 38.1 percent shooting (37-of-97) from the field, which included the visitors shooting a horrendous 2-of-25 (8.0 percent) from 3-point range.
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