Lakers Last Minute Loss to the 76ers

While everyone was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day last night, the Lakers (and their fans) were busy mourning their shocking, 94-93 last minute loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center. Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson used six of his reserves during the disappointing game, only three of them in the fourth quarter when the Lakers built a 14-point lead, but then Andre Iguodala made a three-pointer that gave the 76ers their last second victory. Josh Powell, one of the bench players, told the L.A. Times the problem “could be a little bit of everything. It could not be focusing, worrying about the wrong things. I don’t think that like effort-wise we’re not trying. I just think it’s attention to detail.”

The Bench Mob, comprised of Powell, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic, had significant court time in the fourth quarter but couldn’t lead the Lakers to victory. Jackson explained, “We’re not just coming out and really attacking and playing agressive in the substitution role and that’s now become prevalent and it’s become an issue.” Earlier on in the season the Lakers bench was considered the best in the league, but they have since switched things up and no longer hold on to that title. Once the sixth man, Lamar Odom is now a starter at power forward with injured center Andrew Bynum out of commission. Another key reserve, Trevor Ariza, is now starting at small forward in place of Luke Walton. Farmar offered an optomistic view, telling the Times, “It’s just not there right now. We’ll get it back. We have a very talented, deep squad. We’ll be fine.”

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