The seventh sign of the apocalypse may be upon us.
The Los Angeles Lakers, the high-flying franchise once known as Showtime, may be slowly gaining a reputation as a defensive juggernaut.
Over their last 10 games, the Lakers are allowing just 92.1 points per game, well below their season average of 96.9 points. Not surprisingly, the Lakers have played under the total in eight of their 10 games.
“This is a team that seems to finally be coming together,” says Covers Expert David Malinsky. “There were a lot of new faces to start the season and a lot of new schemes. At this point in the season it looks like they are finally starting to find some chemistry.”
The funny thing is, other than the Lakers keeping their opponents’ scoring down, there is no real evidence of improved defensive play. Los Angeles is in fact grabbing fewer rebounds and forcing only one more turnover per game.
To explain this Malinsky points to coach Phil Jackson getting the Lakers ready for the playoffs and an improvement in the Lakers’ offense which has taken time assimilating their coach’s complex sets and scheme. Over the same 10-game span, Los Angeles has upped their season average to 21 assists per game and is shooting almost two-percentage points better but is scoring two points less per game.
“The Lakers are getting ready for the playoffs, slowing the ball down, working through their possessions,” says Malinsky. “They are also one of those flow teams that an improved performance on one end translates into positives on the other end.”
This is good news for backers starting with Thursday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets in the Mile High City. It also helps matter the Lakers will play five of their final seven games at home and are gearing up for tough first round playoff series, possibly against the Nuggets.
“Jackson really has them playing with a lot of chemistry and rhythm,” says Malinsky. “They are by no means a great team but they are certainly getting the most of what they have.”
Oddsmakers have not set a line or a total for Thursday’s game.
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