Nearly 1,000 miles removed from their season-opening defeat, the Lakers hope for a Halloween-night rebound against the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore.
The Lakers’ play was scary Tuesday when their star-studded roster, looking woefully out of sync, lost 99-91 to the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center.
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and new additions Dwight Howard and Steve Nash played together only once in the preseason -- during which the Lakers failed to win one game -- and they cautioned after Tuesday’s loss that they’re still figuring how to hit their stride together.
In the meantime, the loss Tuesday showed the Lakers must immediately improve in two areas: Free throws and three-point shooting.
The Lakers were only 12 for 31 (39%) at the free-throw line Tuesday and three for 13 (23%) in three-point attempts against the Mavericks.
In addition, Nash -- the eight-time All-Star and ball-handler extraordinaire -- had only four assists. So a key question is whether Nash will be more involved in Portland, where the Lakers are 4-16 since 2002.
“I do know one thing: The ball should be in @SteveNash hands much more,” Lakers legend Magic Johnson said Wednesday on Twitter.
Bryant, meanwhile, did not appear to be hobbled by his strained right foot Tuesday as he made 11 of 14 shots for 22 points.
The young Trail Blazers, with five rookies on their roster, are led by All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
ALSO:
Preview: Lakers at Trail Blazers
Lakers offense shows signs of life in defeat
Lakers fall to Mavericks, 99-91, in season opener
The Lakers’ play was scary Tuesday when their star-studded roster, looking woefully out of sync, lost 99-91 to the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center.
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and new additions Dwight Howard and Steve Nash played together only once in the preseason -- during which the Lakers failed to win one game -- and they cautioned after Tuesday’s loss that they’re still figuring how to hit their stride together.
In the meantime, the loss Tuesday showed the Lakers must immediately improve in two areas: Free throws and three-point shooting.
The Lakers were only 12 for 31 (39%) at the free-throw line Tuesday and three for 13 (23%) in three-point attempts against the Mavericks.
In addition, Nash -- the eight-time All-Star and ball-handler extraordinaire -- had only four assists. So a key question is whether Nash will be more involved in Portland, where the Lakers are 4-16 since 2002.
“I do know one thing: The ball should be in @SteveNash hands much more,” Lakers legend Magic Johnson said Wednesday on Twitter.
Bryant, meanwhile, did not appear to be hobbled by his strained right foot Tuesday as he made 11 of 14 shots for 22 points.
The young Trail Blazers, with five rookies on their roster, are led by All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
ALSO:
Preview: Lakers at Trail Blazers
Lakers offense shows signs of life in defeat
Lakers fall to Mavericks, 99-91, in season opener