The start of the NBA playoffs is just around the corner, though the Los Angeles Lakers are still trying to regain their form from the shutdown that helped them earn the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
The Lakers were defeated Saturday by the Indiana Pacers, dropping to 2-4 in their seeding games so far. LeBron James had his best performance in Orlando, scoring 31 points to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists on 13-of-24 shots in 35 minutes, but the Lakers’ players still struggled around him.
One thing that has been noticed in these boiling games is that head coach Frank Vogel is still looking for rotations that work. He has used 10 or 11 players in each game so far, giving every player on the roster a chance at some point.
Against the Pacers, it was Quinn Cook, Jared Dudley and rookie Languages Horton-Tucker, and Vogel was impressed with what he saw of that trio as he continues to experiment with different lineups to evaluate players.
‘We continue to look at different guys. Last night, Talen, Quinn Cook and Dudz took turns getting some important minutes. I thought all three of those guys played really well. I thought our overall feel and offensive stream was the best it has been in a few games, ”said Vogel.
“This stretch where we basically play elite defenses in the first five games – and a unique defense with Houston if they are not high rank – it will strengthen us. There have been some fights that have been a bit frustrating, but playing against great defensive works is the best way to prepare and punish all your execution pieces. Really optimistic with how we looked offensive and overall. “
With two seeding games left this week before the start of the postseason, Vogel still has plans to use different lineups. “Keep experimenting,” he repeated.
“We have a similar week between the Nuggets game and our first playoff game. Like I said, I have an idea what that rotation looks like. There will still be some evaluation over the next two games. We’ll get through this Denver game, then we have two days before the Sacramento game. We will find out how we can best manage that game in terms of calm, rhythm and all those kinds of things. “
With that said, it looks like Vogel already has an idea of what his rotation will look like after the season.
“We will continue to evaluate and use the next two games to look at different things. I have a good sense of what our playoff rotation will look like, but there is some room for improvement, and we will continue to evaluate, ‘he said.
One aspect of the game where the Lakers have really struggled this season is with James on the bench. That was against the case against the Pacers, as he was a +13 in a five-point loss, meaning the team was outscored by 18 points in the 13 minutes he was off the floor.
Vogel is looking for more playing time for Waiters, Smith and Morris
With Cook, Dudley and Horton-Tucker all seeing important time in the Pacers game, newcomers Dion Waiters, JR Smith and Markieff Morris all did not see the court against the Pacers.
Vogel hopes to get them more time in the last two seeding games. ‘It has been a balanced action. There have been bumps in the road with integration, as with any new player, ‘he said.
‘Getting to know the guys we went with gave us a little more awareness, and I thought it was important for our boys to find a rhythm with some guys that they are more familiar with and take a step back about integration with the new guys. I think we’ll probably come back to the next game with them, but we’ll sleep on it, evaluate and see where we are. ”
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