Even though the Los Angeles Lakers have won their last two games while LeBron James has been out due to a strained adductor, one may think their confidence has been damaged by the fact they are 4-10.
Only three teams in the NBA have a worse record.
Los Angeles defeated a surging Brooklyn Nets team last Sunday by 13 points. After four full days of rest, they downed the Detroit Pistons, 128-121, on Friday.
Austin Reaves played well in both contests, going 5-of-8 from the field both times while also shooting well from 3-point range and scoring double-figures.
After the Detroit game, he said the team believes in itself.
“Like I’ve said many times, you know, we’re very new team to each other. So it’s going to take a little bit of time to get used to playing with one another. But, yeah, the belief is high. I mean, you’re seeing tonight, the way we score the ball, you see six in double figures. There’s a lot of people on the team that can win us basketball games. So, at the end day, it’s just going to come down to playing the right way. And competing on the defense end, because we have the capability of being a really good defense. If we do that, then offensive end will take care of itself.”
Anthony Davis has been at the top of his game lately with 37 points and 18 rebounds versus Brooklyn and 38 points and 16 boards against Detroit. Guard Lonnie Walker IV has also been playing well consistently, and the return of guard Dennis Schroder and center Thomas Bryant should start paying dividends soon.
With James perhaps returning soon and an easier upcoming schedule in terms of the strength of their opponents, the Lakers could significantly improve their record over the next few weeks.
