Key Stats

The Lakers are 17th in three-point percentage at 35.1 percent, but are fifth over the last eight games at 37.8 percent, per NBA.com. Considering LeBron, Kuzma, and KCP have been well below their career averages from three this season, L.A. could continue as one of the better shooting teams this season.

This team is also 29th in free throw percentage at 69.5 percent. They do not have a great free-throw shooter on the team which has and will continue to hurt them, especially in close games.

The Lakers are also 24th in turnovers per 100 possessions at 15.1. There have been lots of sloppy passes due to guys having to do too much.

Their offense has dropped to 11th at 109.3 points per 100 possessions. It has been slipping due to sloppy play and head coach Luke Walton’s schemes have been too simplistic.

Final Thoughts

This is a good Los Angeles Lakers’ team. They have lots of issues to work out, but they should get better as the season goes on. They have been competitive in every game besides the one versus the Raptors. They have LeBron James, a good defense, good passing, and potentially good shooting. After the Warriors, that second seed in the Western Conference looks wide open right now. If the Lakers continue to show progress, they can be in the running to get that spot. It is only November, so let’s be cautiously optimistic.