The Los Angeles Lakers lost an important game on Sunday afternoon to the Phoenix Suns, 123-113. It started a stretch of nine games in which they will face six Western Conference teams that have a better record than them, and this stretch will play a large role in their chances of making the playoffs.
Arguably the biggest factor in Sunday’s loss was their lack of rebounding, something that has been a problem at times this season. Los Angeles was outrebounded by 17, which was a big reason Phoenix put up 22 second-chance points.
But another problem the Purple and Gold had was a lack of free throws. Normally, they attempt more free throws than their opponents, but on Sunday, they took just eight foul shots, compared to 19 for the Suns. They did not get to the charity stripe at all in the second half.
There were times during the contest when members of the team, particularly LeBron James, were visibly upset over what they saw as a lack of calls in their favor. Afterward, James addressed the issue with the media (at 1:40).
LeBron on the Lakers attempting a season-low eight free throws: "We have attackers that's what we do… we're not shooting 40-50 threes a game… we're getting to the paint that's what we're really good at so to have eight free throw attempts is definitely not us." pic.twitter.com/DZgZKSCFQ2
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 26, 2024
“A lot of people, a lot of coaches, a lot of teams are like, ‘That’s all the Lakers do is get to the free throw line,'” James said. “It’s like this narrative out there that that’s all we do is get to the free throw line. I mean, we have attackers. That’s what we do. We have attackers. Yeah, we shoot the ball from the perimeter, but we’re not shooting 40-50 3s a game. We’re not that team. We don’t have the luxury of being that team. So, working it into the paint, that’s what we’re really good at.
“To have eight free throw attempts is definitely not us. I know, definitely, I got hit a couple times when I got to the paint tonight that wasn’t called. But it is what it is.”
On the season, the Lakers rank sixth in free throw attempts per game, and they’re also second in free throw attempts allowed per game.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham sounds off on the officiating in Suinday's game
Ham was another man who was visibly unhappy with the way Sunday’s game was called (at 1:57).
Darvin Ham on the Lakers slow start and the free throw disparity against the Suns. pic.twitter.com/Ul5T6gneKi
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 25, 2024
“It seems that the whistle for us is quick,” Ham said. “We’re playing defense or we play good defense, someone falls down, missed a shot, as we’re getting the rebound, the whistle goes off. And I’m not one to use referees as an excuse. But it’s becoming increasingly tough because of the inconsistency. I’m seeing our guys get the same contact on them as we’re supposedly committing. And the whistle is not being blown.
“That’s something we focus on, trying to win the free throw line every game. And so that’s tough. I’m telling my guys to drive downhill; we’re trying to love and live in the paint. And you’re not getting calls. I see guys with their hands in our guys’ ribs or swinging, swiping at their heads, trying to block the shot, but not getting the ball, but getting a piece of the body. And it’s not being called, as simple as that.
“So we have to figure out ways to not let that be a problem, but it’s tough. Again, it’s frustrating when there’s so much inconsistency.”
Perhaps one definite reason for the free throw disparity was the lack of paint and low-post touches for Anthony Davis. While he perked up in the second half with 18 points, he still wasn’t feasting in the paint as he normally does, and he went the entire game without getting to the charity stripe.
