Before winning some recent games, the Lakers had several rough patches.
They had a nine-game losing streak, one shy of the franchise record, and a seven-game losing streak before a winning streak that ended at three games Sunday against Oklahoma City.
While they were losing, Coach Byron Scott said he never felt the Lakers took on a loser’s mentality.
“In the locker room, guys would be upset after a loss,” Scott said. “But after that, the next day in practice, guys were ready to work again. I never felt that our chemistry was threatened, or the fact that the losing streak was really pulling guys apart in the locker room. I never felt that one time.”
Lineup changes are coming
Scott said he’d like to see more of rookie Tarik Black and Ryan Kelly play some power forward.
Scott said starter Carlos Boozer’s playing time could be diminished in favor of Black and Kelly.
“I want to get a look at Tarik back in there,” Scott said. “So there’ll be a point when I tell Carlos, ‘I’m probably going to sit you for a few games.’ “
Black, who has started six games, didn’t play for the third consecutive game.
Kelly is starting at small forward, but the Lakers feel he’s better suited for power forward.
Scott said he plans to have a “five- to 10-game sample” of Kelly playing power forward.
Lakers play solid defense
The Lakers may not have rebounded the ball to Scott’s liking, but they played pretty good defense against Oklahoma City.
And it wasn’t only the Lakers holding the Thunder to 41.2% shooting.
It was also the Lakers blocking six shots.
Robert Sacre and Ed Davis had two blocks each.
Nick Young sits out
Nick Young sat out a third consecutive game because of swelling in his left knee.
Scott said he hopes Young can play on the Lakers’ three-game trip to Charlotte, Miami and Memphis that starts Tuesday.
Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times
