Overview
- Phoenix shot 59% from the field and 41% from three while Los Angeles committed 17 turnovers and yielded 12 offensive rebounds.
- The loss completed a 1-2 three-week stretch against the Suns and left the Lakers 4-5 over their past nine games.
- Marcus Smart said the players must fix the defense before it is too late and added that opponents come at the Lakers hard because of the jersey.
- LeBron James stressed that stops require “five guys on a string,” citing fast-break points, second chances and open threes as decisive factors.
- Coach JJ Redick underscored that playing hard is a choice as the Lakers aim to regroup before their Christmas Day home game against the Rockets.