The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Miami Heat in a heartbreaking fashion, with the final score standing at 107-108. The defeat took their record to 3-4, good for 10th in the Western Conference. Suffice it to say that LeBron James and his crew aren’t in the best spot after their match in Miami. However, to be fair to them, their loss seemed to be far from deserved.
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The game seemed to have a bevy of blown and questionable calls by the officials, with most going in the Heat’s favor. Perhaps the most questionable of all was D’Angelo Russell’s double technical, resulting in his ejection from the game.
D’Angelo Russell’s ejection was quite weird pic.twitter.com/ClAAapvPd3
— What are NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) November 7, 2023
The technical foul was handed to Russell while he was talking to an official about a call. However, it wasn’t the one that he was talking to who punished him. Instead, it was a referee who wasn’t a part of the conversation at all, something that enraged the Lakers star. His reaction to the same gave the controversial official all the license in the world to give him a second technical, resulting in his ejection from the game.
After the completion of the game, Russell was asked about the call in question. Having been left dumbfounded by everything that happened, the following is what he said, as seen in Spectrum SportsNet’s post.
“I’d rather not [talk about it]… [Upon being prompted further] I’m still trying to figure it out, honestly. I mean, I’d just rather not say anything I don’t mean, or regret. So, I’d rather not.”
“I’m still trying to figure it out.” D’Angelo Russell on the reason for his double-tech ejection. pic.twitter.com/Mx1DiWmMc3
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 7, 2023
While the reaction from D’Angelo Russell is a mature one, his anger at how things proceeded was admittedly palpable. This prompted an apparent checking of the calls made in the game by the NBA. However, upon their checking, the following is the statement they came out with.
“The NBA has confirmed that all calls made in the last two minutes of the previous night’s Lakers/Heat game were correct, with no missed calls”
The NBA has confirmed that all calls made in the last two minutes of the previous night’s Lakers/Heat game were correct, with no missed calls
(Via @IraHeatBeat ) pic.twitter.com/hDs1zGdvQj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 7, 2023
LeBron James was left enraged by this comment, so much so that he decided to break his silence. Replying to NBA Central’s post on X (Formerly Twitter), he said the following.
“The game isn’t won or lost in the last 2 mins! If you know the game things happen throughout the 1st, 2nd. 3rd and first 10 mins of 4th that has MAJOR impact on outcomes.”
The game isn’t won or lost in the last 2 mins! If you know the game things happen throughout the 1st, 2nd. 3rd and first 10 mins of 4th that has MAJOR impact on outcomes. https://t.co/ReW6r43Wax
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 8, 2023
Admittedly, it is hard to blame James for his anger. Even neutral fans who watched the contest noted the many controversial calls made by the officials. And Russell, who was 6 of 10 from the field on the night, was key for the Lakers on the night. To then be told that it wasn’t even audited likely wasn’t all that comforting. That said, the Lakers do also have a few problems of their own.
LeBron James and the LA Lakers have yet to win a road game this season
LeBron James’ side has played four road games so far this season. Having come up against the likes of the Nuggets, Heat, Kings, and even the Magic, the Lakers have failed to win a single road game so far this season.
LeBron James is averaging 35.9 minutes per game
With him, the Lakers’ offensive rating is 116.7, without him, it drops to 91.2. Opponents score at 107.0 with him on the court and 127.8 with him off, making a +46.2 differential 🤯
The impact in Year 21 is INSANE pic.twitter.com/AFSDl5bTJF
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 7, 2023
The crowd at the Staples Center is known to be intense, especially when they have a team they can back. However, the Purple and Gold can’t keep relying on home support to win games. Admittedly, if they can’t prove they can consistently win games on the road, they don’t have much of a shot at winning an NBA title this season.
That said, the franchise does have the right pieces surrounding Anthony Davis and LeBron James this season. The likes of Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell are finally showing signs of hitting their stride. Additionally, key players Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura will return soon, while Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt will also return as the season goes on. So, the team does have the tools to reverse their condition at the moment. However, if they will do so, only time will tell.
