Stop if you’ve heard this before, but turnovers were an issue for the Lakers in their loss on Wednesday
.While they weren’t quite at the level of their Game 4 disasterclass, the Lakers did turn the ball over 15 times in Game 5, resulting in 18 Rockets points. Most certainly, it was a team-wide issue, but one of the main culprits was Marcus Smart.
After having some strong showings earlier in the series, Smart was woeful in Game 5, turning the ball over a game-high six times. After the game, Smart was honest
about his and the team’s shortcomings in taking care of the ball.
“We’ve been through this,” Smart said. “We understand this team and how they play and they’re very aggressive. We got to take care of the basketball. Myself, I had six turnovers and that’s unacceptable. Especially with only two assists, right? Especially against this team.
“So, you definitely got to take care of the ball. We got to do a better job. All of us, collectively, and that’ll help us for sure.”
At this point, you wouldn’t be blamed if this all feels like it rings a little hollow. Even before the postseason started, the Lakers were talking about needing to take care of the ball. Two weeks later, they’re still talking about needing to take care of the ball and they haven’t done it yet.
It’d be one thing if the turnovers were being forced by the Rockets entirely. While their pressure has ramped up, the Lakers are making plenty of unforced mistakes as well.
To his credit, head coach JJ Redick defended his players while still noting the team has to improve.
“It’s hard because the players see stuff on the court,” Redick said. “It’s easy for us to look back on film or armchair quarterback it. I do think we had two of those turnovers where we get a stop and throw the ball ahead out of bounds, Those are the kind of the ones that you wish you had back.
“But the turnovers, they come in all shapes and sizes. It’s about limiting them and you certainly have to give your guys freedom to make basketball plays. I would say, in general though, turnovers of aggression are OK. Turnovers of passivity are not.”
At the end of the day, the Lakers need to walk the walk instead of talking the talk. There’s a certain level of focus and attentiveness that is required in the playoffs and the Lakers aren’t showcasing that.
It’s what separates not just the title contenders from other playoff teams, but it’s the difference between the Lakers having this series already wrapped up and being on the brink of a Game 7.
Turnovers are not the sole reason the Lakers have lost two straight games. However, it’s emblematic of a bigger issue the team has had these playoffs.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
