Lakers dismantled by Pelicans in season-high turnover night.
In a season that's been a rollercoaster of up and down (more down than up) outings, the Lakers had arguably their worst loss of the year, committing a season-high 22 turnovers in Tonight's 123–95 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, dropping their season record to 27–33.
With the Lakers presently occupying the 9th slot in the West's possible play-in berth, their season remains in jeopardy as teams in the standings move in on the Lakers, who have lost five of their previous six games.
Head coach Frank Vogel spoke on Tonight's frustrating loss, saying: "When you have 23 turnovers, you're not gonna win. Some of it is carelessness, and some of it is we're ice cold from the perimeter right now."
The Lakers were ice cold from the perimeter, shooting 21% (7-for-34) overall from behind the arc, as their woes continued, combining for just 23% (15-for-65) in their past two meetings.
LeBron James was the Lakers leading scorer in Tonight's loss, scoring 32 points on 56% (13-for-23) overall from the floor, adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a pair of blocks and steals in 35 minutes.
James spoke on the game, explaining: "Tonight, from the six-minute point of the second quarter to the third, no answer.
Later speaking on the Lakers season-high turnover night, saying: "I'm always trying to figure out ways I can be better. And obviously, seven turnovers is not ingredients for winning basketball."
The Lakers' second-leading scorer in Tonight's ugly loss was Russell Westbrook, finishing with 17 points on 33% shooting overall in 27 minutes of action.
After the game, Westbrook spoke on the Lakers' effort, explaining: "Miss or make shots, that's a part of the game, but playing hard, that's something we can't not allow ourselves to do."
Dwight Howard vocalized the team's morale after Tonight's loss, saying: "Have to. It's really easy to give up and throw in the towel and say negative things. I'm really lost for words, but we got to stay positive."
Howard was the Lakers leading rebounder, finishing with 11 overall and adding 6 points on 60% (3-for-5) shooting from the floor in his 22 minutes of playing.
The Lakers' next matchup comes on Tuesday at home against the Dallas Mavericks, who sit at 36–25 and are coming off a huge 4th quarter comeback against the Warriors where they outscored Golden State 33–13 in the 4th.