Lakers vs Pelicans Summer League preview: L.A. eyes first win in Las Vegas
Briefly

After losing their opening game in the Las Vegas Summer League, the Lakers face the New Orleans Pelicans hoping to regain momentum. The Lakers struggled to finish games, making critical errors that cost them victory. Key issues include a poor defense in the paint and ineffective transition defense. Moreover, the scoring burden is too heavily placed on Cole Swider, while Dalton Knecht's potential injury complicates matters. Players like Bronny James Jr. need to step up in their roles to earn more minutes moving forward.
Despite holding control for most of their first game, the Lakers failed to close out, allowing the Mavericks to capitalize on their defensive mistakes and ultimately losing.
The Lakers have struggled significantly with their paint defense, allowing the Mavericks to outscore them 28-18 in this area, highlighting a pressing need for improvement.
Transition defense has also plagued the Lakers, as they faced a 23-5 disadvantage against the Mavericks in fast-break points, emphasizing their defensive vulnerabilities.
Bronny James Jr. had a commendable performance in the first half, showcasing offensive skills and defensive prowess, indicating his potential for a larger role next season.
Read at Silver Screen and Roll
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