Defense Still Showing Flaws
Coach Del Harris, clearly optimistic, was nonetheless urging caution days ago. Yes, the Lakers were playing better defense since their team meeting on Thanksgiving, but, no, it was not an accurate barometer.
“You have to do it over a period of time,” he said. “Two games, three games, that’s not enough. Ten games, OK.”
Which is why the Lakers today are still trying to prove they can be consistently impressive on defense, as they were in last Friday’s victory at Detroit and in the first half Sunday against Denver. But not like what followed:
--Giving up 67 points to the Nuggets in the second half.
--Then 106 points to the SuperSonics, about four more than their average, on Tuesday.
--And 101 points to the Jazz on Wednesday.
At least the chance to regain their footing is coming. The Orlando Magic, Friday’s opponent at the Forum, scored 57 points Wednesday at home against Cleveland and is averaging 87.9.
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