The Los Angeles Lakers have a difficult six-game road trip ahead of them, visiting teams from the East Coast of the United States. Due to the streak of inconsistent results that the Los Angeles team is going through, the trip represents an even greater challenge for them.
“What a journey awaits us! We will be tested by several very good teams, so, we will see what we are made of, ”LeBron James said about what is coming for the Lakers.
Starting this Friday, the Lakers will kick off the first of their road games when they visit the Orlando Magic. Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks will follow. It will be until February 2 when the Angelenos return to the Crypto.com Arena floor.
In the last game at home before the trip, the Lakers suffered another painful defeat; this time against the Indiana Pacers 111-104 on Wednesday night. Considering Indiana had lost ten of its last eleven games, the Purple and Gold knew it was a game they had to win. However, they ended with a disaster; same that left a new frustration in the group by not replicating the great victory achieved on Monday against the Utah Jazz.
“It was a very disappointing loss to a team with a negative minus .500 record on the season and at our home. It is a game that we felt we could win and we must win those games that you know you can win. It’s definitely frustrating,” coach Frank Vogel said after the loss to the Pacers.
With the latest result, the Lakers once again descended the rungs in the standings. They are in eighth place in the Western Conference with a record of 22 wins and 23 losses, out of postseason positions.
“I hate losing, obviously there is a level of frustration; especially because I think we have a team to win games and have a winning percentage above .500,” said LeBron, who leads the voting in the NBA for the All-Star game.
LeBron James, in his 19th NBA season, is having a great individual campaign; he is averaging 28.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. However, the results as a group do not support this.
“This is who we are, I can’t sit here and say we should be this and that. As of today, we are a team with a negative record and we have to play much better”, he stated.
