Lakers’ Three-Point Struggles Hit Rock Bottom in Loss to Heat

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at the bottom of the NBA’s three-point shooting ranks, facing a critical challenge as they grapple with a 30.4% conversion rate and a 19th position in overall triples taken, averaging 35.7 per game. The team hit a new low in their January 4th loss to the Miami Heat, marking one of the worst three-point shooting performances in NBA history for a team attempting at least 30 shots.

In this dismal outing, the Lakers managed to connect on just four of their 30 three-point attempts, resulting in a mere 13% success rate. The Heat’s effective use of a zone defense magnified the Lakers’ struggles, making it difficult for them to generate looks inside the arc and exposing their vulnerability from long range.

The rarity of zone defenses in today’s NBA, attributed to the league’s abundance of proficient three-point shooters, underscores the severity of the Lakers’ shooting deficiencies. Miami’s success with the zone strategy against the Lakers not only emphasizes the team’s struggle behind the arc but also reflects the Heat’s confidence in exploiting this weakness.

Austin Reaves, responsible for half of the Lakers’ made three-pointers in the game, acknowledged the team’s shooting woes post-game. Reaves stressed the importance of improving their three-point shooting percentage to alleviate the offensive burden on stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who often draw significant defensive attention.

While Reaves expressed optimism about a potential regression to the mean, the concern is that the Lakers currently rank 30th in the league in three-point shooting, indicating a significant uphill battle. The team’s struggles from behind the arc allow opposing teams, like the Heat, to capitalize on zone defenses, complicating matters for LeBron and AD and stalling the offense.

With the Lakers urgently needing improved perimeter shooting, the possibility of addressing this issue through a trade looms large. The team faces a crucial juncture in the season, with the need for immediate reinforcements to bolster their three-point efficiency and enhance their overall offensive effectiveness.