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Lakers’ blowout loss to Butler, heat from fans despite LeBron James’ rebound back | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Posted on by Taylor Reeves
Lakers’ blowout loss to Butler, heat from fans despite LeBron James’ rebound back | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball during the game against the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center on December 4, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

LeBron James’ doldrums appear to be over. However, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to have major problems.

The veteran superstar went out on Wednesday night and posted 29 points, eight assists and five rebounds against the Miami Heat, albeit in a 134-93 loss. He also passed Kyle Korver on the all-time three-pointers list and is now in seventh place:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

LEBRON HITS 3PT NUMBER 2,451 🚨🤯
PASSES KYLE KORVER TO BE 7TH ON THE ALL-TIME 3 PM LIST 🎯 pic.twitter.com/m2oJM6hmHJ

Tyler Herro (31 points, 9 of 16 from three) led the Heat, while Jimmy Butler contributed 17 points, nine boards and five assists. Anthony Davis was the Lakers’ superstar on Wednesday, scoring just eight points on 3 of 14 shots from the field.

The Lakers have now lost six of their last eight games, putting them at 12-10 on the season. Miami improved to 10-10.

“I’m embarrassed. We’re all embarrassed,” head coach JJ Redick said said after the competition. “It’s not a game where I thought we had the right fight and the right professionalism… I own that, but I also need some ownership on the pitch. I don’t feel like we’re together right now.”

The first-year coach plans to proactively address the situation:

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha

Redick said he will meet with his coaching staff, his players (as a group) and then with specific players individually to prevent the group from splintering further. https://t.co/dbJWD7geGR

At least the mood around James was more positive on Wednesday after he scored just 10 points on 4 of 16 field shots against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night:

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat

Bam Adebayo and LeBron James both regained their offense tonight.

Joey Green @I’m Joey Green

LeBron did his job while AD had EIGHT points tonight…

CJ Lockz 🏆 @CJ_Everydayy

Lebron did his part

Dennis Mick @OHLNOJHLWHL

Tonight, however, is a big comeback game for LeBron James

However, the sentiment surrounding the Lakers in general is far less pristine:

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix

Talent needs to be addressed with the Lakers. But even more worrying is the effort involved. There were times when they simply stopped. This was the first full game of it. Something is going on.

Kendrick Perkins @Kendrick Perkins

The Lakers have to decide whether they want to actually structure a team or make excuses
We get it, you’re used to stars, but this isn’t the 80s, every market can afford stars today. What about the strategy? No coach can ever survive without talent! Yes, you have 40-year-old LeBron and…

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42

The Lakers’ performance right now is as bad as any team’s this season.

Jon Krawczynski @Jon Krawczynski

Yikes, Lakers. This is brutal

Dan Woike @DanWoikeSports

The Lakers are completely shot out of the gym

Things have gotten bad in Los Angeles. The Lakers have lost four of their last seven games by 20 points or more. It’s one thing to lose – it’s another to constantly go broke.

James, meanwhile, had said at the start of the season that he wanted to play all 82 games, but his shooting problems before Wednesday’s comeback attempt left the team questioning that goal.

“I don’t know that it’s in his best interest or our best interest for him to do that, but if he’s good and he’s feeling good, then he should play,” head coach Redick said told reporters after Monday’s defeat. “But of course we want to do it as well as possible.”

His previous problems were mirrored by his teammates.

“I’ve never seen us play like we did at the beginning of the year,” Redick said Monday. “I mean, I have to spend all day tomorrow with my staff trying to figure out how we can fix this.”

A 41-point loss to the Heat would suggest that Redick and his coaching staff haven’t found a solution yet.

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