The Los Angeles Lakers will look for a quick fix to some offensive glitches when they visit the defensive-challenged Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.
Los Angeles dropped a 122-102 decision Saturday night at Atlanta while absorbing its first road loss in five outings.
“Just not a lot to like,” said Lakers coach J.J. Redick, who was abbreviated in his postgame comments.
It also marked the lowest point total of the season for the Lakers, but they might be facing the right opponent to get that fixed Monday night.
Charlotte lost 126-108 on Friday at Miami, but what’s not totally reflected in the score was that the Hornets gave up 53 first-quarter points.
“You just can’t come out and play soft like that in the first quarter,” rookie guard Kon Knueppel said. “Hopefully, some guys can get healthy soon.”
The Hornets had 10 players available for Friday night’s game.
It’s mostly a wait-and-see situation regarding guard LaMelo Ball, who has missed time during the past week because of a right ankle injury.
“It’s a day-by-day approach,” coach Charles Lee said. “I think every day he feels a little bit better. The goal is to have him available as many games as possible.”
The status of Hornets guard Collin Sexton also has been uncertain. He was expected to play Friday night even after he showed up on the injury report with a neck strain, and later was ruled out for that game.
Knueppel had 30 points against the Heat. He became the first NBA rookie this season to score 20 or more points in three consecutive games.
The defense has been the major sticking point for the Hornets, who are surrendering 121.0 points per game. The Lakers are scoring 117.8 per game.
Redick said he saw “nothing” from his team early in the game with little throughout the contest to praise.
He also indicated he’s not willing to dismiss the performance and simply move on.
“We’re going to look at it, for sure,” Redick said.
Los Angeles gave up 37 first-quarter points and committed 19 turnovers by game’s end.
While Redick didn’t address it, the Lakers piled up a 47-37 rebounding advantage on the Hawks. Eighteen of those boards came from Jarred Vanderbilt.
Despite their defensive woes, the Hornets like what they’re getting at that end of the court from rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner.
“He continues to impress defensively,” Lee said. “Contesting at the rim, helping us dominate or protect the paint, and then offensively his screening assists, his ability to offensive rebound and keep possessions alive or get us other possessions, and his ability to finish above the rim on some of these lobs.”
Luka Doncic had 22 points in 27 minutes for the Lakers in the Atlanta game — both season lows. He’s averaging 37 points per game, but he has played in only six games. His 10 rebounds and 9.5 assists per outing have him averaging nearly a triple-double.
Los Angeles has played without Austin Reaves (groin) for the past three games, while LeBron James (sciatica) has yet to make his season debut.
Monday will be the second stop of the Lakers’ five-game road stretch. Reaves is expected back at some point on the road trip.
–Field Level Media
