LeBron James took full responsibility for the Los Angeles Lakers’ crushing 134-93 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday, saying the team’s struggles weren’t the fault of the coaches.
“It’s been preached since July, so there should be an understanding. … It’s not on the coaches. It’s definitely on us, [the players], for sure,” James stated, acknowledging the Lakers’ inability to execute.
The Lakers were demolished by the Heat in one of the most dominant performances in Miami’s history. The 41-point margin marked the third-largest victory in Heat franchise history.
Tyler Herro led the charge for Miami, scoring 31 points. He had an explosive third quarter, netting 21 of those points, including nine three-pointers, which tied a Heat record for any quarter.
The Heat’s offense was on fire, making 24 three-pointers, another franchise record. Miami’s ball movement was key, with 42 total assists. Jimmy Butler contributed 17 points, while Bam Adebayo added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. The Heat’s depth was also on display, with Terry Rozier and Kevin Love chipping in 16 and 10 points, respectively.
The Lakers were outclassed from start to finish, struggling both offensively and defensively. LeBron James led his team with 29 points, shooting 12-of-18 from the field. However, the Lakers shot only 22.7% from beyond the arc and committed 13 turnovers.
Anthony Davis had a quiet night, scoring just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting. The loss marked the Lakers’ sixth in their last eight games, continuing their recent struggles.
Miami, now 10-10, demonstrated their potential when firing on all cylinders, while the Lakers (12-10) face continued challenges.
