Five takeaways from the Lakers’ 78-75 loss to the Miami Heat

The Lakers (12-27) almost survived a miserable shooting night, but ultimately fell short to the Miami Heat (17-21). Here are five takeaways from their 78-75 loss at Staples Center.

1. The Heat thoroughly dominated the Lakers to start the game, to the tune of 18 straight points.

“We got off to a terrible start, offensively and defensively. They got layup after layup,” said Coach Byron Scott after the defeat. “We dug ourselves a hole, and it’s just hard to keep skating uphill for an entire game.”

The Lakers ended up competing most of the night despite their start, with a chance to force overtime, but Kobe Bryant’s three-point attempt didn’t drop.

2. At the half, every single field goal the Heat scored was in the paint. Miami shot 19 for 40, missing all seven three-point attempts. The team had 44 points, 38 in the paint and six earned at the free-throw line.

Miami finished with 58 points in the paint, or 20 of their final 34 points.

The Lakers did manage to hold the Heat to under 100 points; the fourth time over the last six that the Lakers held their opponent under 100.

On the season, the Lakers give up 106.8 a night, second-worst in the NBA ahead of just the Minnesota Timberwolves (108.1).

3. Bryant hit a couple of late three-pointers, but the one he needed to force overtime didn’t land. Bryant shot just 3 for 19 from the field for 12 points, along with seven assists and six rebounds.

Scott has a minute restriction on the veteran guard at 32. Given that he finished with 31 minutes through regulation, Scott said after the game that he wouldn’t have played Bryant in an overtime session.

“The game will look a lot different when we shoot the ball a lot better,” said Bryant after the loss. “I’m comfortable with where I am. I get my legs a little more lively and that just comes from playing instead of having some time off. I feel very good about my game at this age.”

4. Nick Young continues to struggle with his jump shot, but at the line he’s putting up career numbers. Young hit three attempts on Tuesday, extending his streak of consecutive makes to 30.

Against the Heat, Young scored eight points in 20 minutes, shooting just two of 11 from the field (18.2%).

5. Both Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black played well, earning their spots in the rotation. Kelly hit all three of his shots for seven points, primarily playing small forward behind Wesley Johnson.

Black served as Jordan Hill’s backup, nearing a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

Wayne Ellington, Robert Sacre and Jordan Clarkson did not play.

Hill suffered a hyper-extended left knee in the game, and will be evaluated on Wednesday.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus