What Went Wrong in Game 4, and How the Lakers Can Improve in Game 5

The Lakers looked tired on Sunday in Game 4, doing everything a step slower than they had been, with responses that were a hair less quick and shotmaking that was more than a hair less successful. All of that was enough to lead to a turnover fueled blowout loss. 

As is often the case in the playoffs, one game can make people feel a lot different about a series. And had Game 4 happened in Game 1, people would have freaked out for sure. But the Lakers are still up 3-1, and need to win one of the next three, two of which will happen in LA. They should also get Austin Reaves back reasonably soon, if not for Wednesday's Game 5. 

In the meantime, the Rockets did a lot of stuff that hurt the Lakers, including: 

• Increasing the physicality directed at LeBron James. 
• Made it tougher for James to get the ball in advantageous spots. 
• Make Luke Kennard play more defense than they had been. 
• Increased ball pressure, which elevated LA's turnovers. 
• Kept the Lakers out of transition. 

So what can the Lakers do in Game 5 to close things out? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

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