The Los Angeles Lakers are quietly proving that they are going to be a tough team to defeat in the NBA playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers escaped by the skin of their teeth against the Phoenix Suns, making clutch free throws to win a game where they blew a 20-point lead.
It was a gritty and exhausting win for the Lakers, who genuinely looked like they had lost all momentum in the final moments of the game.
LA Lakers are 9-0 in clutch games, lead the NBA in clutch wins
After their last-minute win over the Phoenix Suns, the LA Lakers notched their 9th clutch win of the NBA season.
The Lakers have been in 9 close-game situations, and have managed to walk away with the win in all of them. In fact, JJ Redick’s side leads the NBA in clutch wins this season.
Being able to win close games is a true skill in the NBA, and it shows that you can take things to another level when the going gets tough.
While close-game situations aren’t very common during the regular season, they are far more frequent during the playoffs.
Having such a stellar record in clutch games will give the LA Lakers the confidence they need to topple any team in the playoffs.
LA Lakers must address roster concerns before trade deadline
While the LA Lakers managed to get a big win over the Phoenix Suns, it was far from a convincing performance from their side.
The Lakers struggled defensively, failing to protect what was a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, and allowing the Phoenix Suns to take a lead in the final minute of the game.
It is imperative that Lakers President Rob Pelinka and the rest of the front office start pushing for some trades, as they don’t have the defenders needed to make a title run.
This is likely the last season the LA Lakers have LeBron James with Luka Doncic, so they should do their best to give the two superstars a roster that can compete for a championship.
Read More: Austin Reaves names what LA Lakers ‘have to be’ after San Antonio Spurs expose them
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