They have been so good all season long, but all of a sudden, the Los Angeles Lakers are actually losers of four straight games. On Christmas Day, the Lakers lost 111-106 to the Clippers in the battle of L.A. It was the second time this season that Kawhi got the better of LeBron as the Clippers beat the Lakers 112-102 on October 22, on the opening night of the season for both clubs.
In the Lakers losing streak, they got beaten 105-102 to the Indiana Pacers on December 17, 111-104 to the Milwaukee Bucks on December 19, and then got completely spanked by the Denver Nuggets in a 128-104 blowout on December 22. However, they are still the best team in the West at 24 wins and seven losses.
In the Clippers win over the Lakers on Christmas Day, LeBron James and company fell short by five points despite the Lakers having a 63-51 lead at halftime. Clearly, one of the reasons why Kawhi Leonard was brought in by the Clippers was simply to beat the Lakers, and Kawhi delivered as he notched a double-double (35 points and 12 rebounds).
It also helps Leonard and the Clippers, that Paul George is there to provide them with a veteran presence. George, who missed the Clippers game against the Lakers back in October with a shoulder injury, had 17 points in the win.
To the answer the question in the headline of ‘Is it time for the Lakers to panic?’ The answer is no. All four teams the Lakers lost to are solid National Basketball Association squads who should be ranked in the top 10, but questions do need to start being raised if whether or not the Lakers are as good as we thought they were going to be, and if there are any weaknesses? At this time, the answer to that question is possibly. Starters Danny Green, Avery Bradley and Javale McGee only combined for 10 points against the Clippers, and it is not out of the question that Kyle Kuzma could be placed in a starting role soon after scoring 25 points off the bench on Christmas Day.
The other issue is related to team defense. The Lakers have given up over 100 points in their last four games, which makes one wonder if Anthony Davis needs to step up his game. Davis is a combined -23 in his last two contests.
