This stat proves why the Lakers' approach isn't sustainable

Mack Baltes

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This stat proves why the Lakers' approach isn't sustainable image

The Los Angeles Lakers won a close matchup Tuesday night, coming back from down seven entering the fourth quarter to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans by eight.

Both LeBron James and Luka Doncic continue to build on-court chemistry with one another as the duo combined for 60 points.

James scored 30 to go along with eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. As for Doncic, he also scored 30 to go along with 10 assists, two rebounds and two steals.

Despite the win, the coaching approach of JJ Redick and the roster construction of Los Angeles seems to have one clear disadvantage.

That being scoring off the bench.

The Lakers scored just 15 points off the bench Tuesday night, playing a nine-man rotation. Although the Lakers are dealing with injuries to Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, a small rotation has been common for Los Angeles all season.

Throughout the year, the Lakers rank dead last in bench scoring, and it's not particularly close. The Lakers average a meager 25 points per game off the bench, more than five points behind the Los Angeles Clippers (30.3), who rank 29th in the category.

For reference, teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs all average 39.9 or more per game.

Although Doncic, James and Reaves are capable of shouldering the scoring load, this doesn't seem like the best game plan in the long run, especially considering the age of James (41 years old).

If the Lakers' front office is to make any moves near the trade deadline, depth and defense should be their biggest priority.

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Senior Editor