The Lakers slide continued last night when they lost to the Pacers 98-96. This loss, unlike the others was not the result of giving the opponent a big lead and being unable to catch up.
The Lakers and Pacers traded the lead throughout and Kobe Bryant had a chance to tie it with 3.5 seconds on the game clock but missed the shot.
That's what makes this latest loss different. It didn't come after a performance that made the team appear unable to execute an offense and defense.
It didn't scream of the need for a quick point guard although the Lakers are desperate for one. None of the Pacers guards scored more than 12 points.
But it adds to the previous two games, lost on the road, one to a Dwayne Wade-less Miami Heat.
In the road losses (the other to the Orlando Magic) the defense was hard to find and the ball wasn't getting to Bynum and Gasol in the paint as coach Mike Brown insists he'd like to see.
In last night's loss to the Pacers Kobe once again poured in more than 30 points (33) but the two big men got more touches.
Unfortunately, the young center's shooting as well as Pau Gasol's was poor. Their looks around the rim have not been falling of late, despite their height and proximity to the basket. One thing was different however, and that was that Gasol was not shooting as many mid to long range jumpers.
Against the Pacers, the team looked engaged, ready to hustle for loose balls and rebounds and played with energy that was missing on the road.
Nonetheless, it is the third loss in a row. Mike Truedell, Lakers reporter noted that Mike Brown's offense will take more time to settle in.
Whether it fits the players on the floor is open to question, which leads to the other question hanging in the air. Will there be another move made prior to the trade deadline?
Only GM Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss know for sure.
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