Lakers still looking for first road win as they head to Houston

Lakers star LeBron James reacts toward an official during the first half of their loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

PUBLISHED: November 7, 2023 at 2:48 p.m. | UPDATED: November 7, 2023 at 2:49 p.m.

MIAMI — There were conflicting feelings emanating from the Lakers as they left Kaseya Center after their 108-107 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday.

On one hand, Anthony Davis, who didn’t play for the final 14 minutes because of hip spasms, expressed confidence that he’ll be available for Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets (3-3).

“I feel confident, I know my body,” the All-Star big man said. “Obviously, when you sleep, things can calm down or arise, but I’m very optimistic. I got it loose and got it feeling good. Just talking to my trainer, everything’s going to be fine.”

The Lakers (3-4) started the game better after entering Monday as, statistically, the league’s worst first-quarter team. And despite having limited players available for the final stretch, they went on a 10-1 run with less than four minutes remaining as part of a comeback attempt that ultimately fell short.

“I’m so proud of our guys,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “Just the way they came out, didn’t quit, didn’t fold the tent, stayed competitive. It sucks not to get the W but I’m sure we’ll get our fair share in these next 75 games. Again, a little disappointed we didn’t finish it out but saw a ton of great things out there.”

On the other hand, there was dissatisfaction.

Disappointment with another road loss, with the Lakers remaining winless on the road (0-4) entering Wednesday.

But also frustration with how the game was officiated – which carried over into Tuesday.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Lakers contacted the league office Tuesday about what they believed were “numerous missed foul calls” in Monday’s loss. The report added that a focus of the Lakers’ ire was how LeBron James was officiated.

James only attempted four free throws, making all of them, against the Heat.

“The explanations of what they’re telling me are not consistent with what’s actually happening on the floor,” James said. “When I went for the dunk attempt against Thomas Bryant, he clearly elbowed – like, arm straight across my face. And I asked him for the explanation – well, one of the refs said that he was straight up, hands straight in the air. Two of the refs said they were blocked and they didn’t see it.

“One of my transition plays, I was going in transition and got fouled and nobody saw it. I just, I don’t know. I’m going over to them respectfully and telling them what’s going on in the plays and I consistently go to the line three or four times a game. Sometimes not even at all. Which is weird. We had some tough break calls, for sure. And not in our favor.”

James is averaging 5.7 free throw attempts per game this season, down from 5.9 last season and six the year before, despite averaging more drives (12) and shot attempts out of drives (5.7) than he did in 2022-23 (9.7; 4.6) and 2021-22 (8.7; 3.8).

If he stays at 5.7 free throws per game, it’d tie a single-season low for his 21-year NBA career.

“We just want balance and consistency, that’s it,” Ham said. “I see Bron shooting four free throws. And the [number] of times he attacked the rim, the [number] of times he was slapped on the arm, which I could see plain as day, for that not to be called, man … he’s not flopping. I’m watching him go to the hole strong.

“I just need an explanation on certain plays that I felt like should’ve gone the other way or should’ve not been called. Some things need to be communicated. It’s a big part of our game in order for us to make the game as special as it can be.”

There were also the pair of technical fouls D’Angelo Russell drew for arguing a non-call in the fourth quarter. Plus the technical foul Ham got late in the third and their delay-of-game technical late in the fourth – the Heat’s lone point in the final four minutes.

The Lakers’ frustration was palpable. But with another opportunity to end their road woes right around the corner, they understood they had to move on.

“It’s still a part of the process,” Russell said. “This is the adversity that we need as a group. We still had a chance to win the game with guys out. With all the nonsense that was going on, we still had a chance. That’s all you can ask for. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the game, but there are still some positives to gain from this one.”