Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are a mess right now, and their latest performance against the Toronto Raptors are not raising hopes they can get out of their slump.
The Lakers got off to a historically bad start on Monday as they host the Raptors at Crypto.com Arena. They made just 12 points in the first quarter of the game while Toronto scored 33 for a 21-point lead. That embarrassing offensive display was a result of their poor shooting performance, going 0-of-13 from 3-point land in the period.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, that is the most 3-point field goal attempts without a make in the first quarter in the history of the NBA. Making matters worse, it came a day after the Lakers allowed the Phoenix Suns to score the most points in the first quarter in the shot-clock era with 48.
Yesterday, the Lakers allowed 48 points in the 1st quarter, their most allowed in a 1st quarter in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55).
Tonight, they scored 12 points in the 1st quarter and went 0-13 on 3-pt FG, the most 3-pt FGA without a make in a 1st quarter in NBA history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 15, 2022
While many point out that the Lakers' defense has been really bad this 2021-22 in the absence of Anthony Davis, their offense is just as inconsistent and horrible. LeBron James' recent scoring streak that saw him drop a couple of 50-point games might have overshadowed that, but the fact of the matter is the Purple and Gold are overrelying on King James.
Heading to the Monday showdown, the Lakers were at 29-38 on the season for the ninth seed. However, they have won just three of their previous 10 games and are in real trouble of missing even the play-in tournament.
With the way they are playing, contending for the playoffs are proving to be a task too difficult.
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