'Should be banished': NBA fans slam 'pathetic' Lakers' amid 63-year low
The Los Angeles Lakers' season has gone from bad to worse after a third straight loss that leaves their post-season hopes on life support.
LA - admittedly without superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis - crashed to a chastening 128-110 defeat against a Luka Doncic-inspired Dallas Mavericks.
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The result means coach Frank Vogel’s Lakers have now slipped to 11th in the Western Conference, crucially one place out of the final play-in spot.
Such a scenario is almost unthinkable for fans of the 2020 NBA champions, who slumped to a shocking 63-year low in the first half against the Mavericks.
HUGE first half for the @dallasmavs 😳
They lead 82-56 at the break. pic.twitter.com/7FCzy9KiB7— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 30, 2022
Not since 1959 has a Lakers side given up as much as the 82 first half points that Doncic and his Mavs inflicted on current Los Angeles team.
Doncic scored 25 of those points himself, along with six assists and five rebounds - needing just 25 minutes to secure a triple-double.
Unsurprisingly, the abject Lakers performance was labelled "pathetic" by fans on social media, with many questioning why they featured in the nationally televised game in the United States.
The Lakers are on the verge of not even making into the Play In Round based on how they’ve done lately.
— Alexander Johnson (@AJohnsonSports) March 30, 2022
the Lakers aren’t even in the play in tournament anymore… YIKES
— turquoise miami (@deebyle) March 30, 2022
Seriously, out of the play in 😂
The South Bay Lakers could be in a better position or at least in this exact position. Pathetic. Everyone should be ashamed. everyone involved is to blame. Disgrace to this beloved franchise.— BTMSports (@BTMsports) March 30, 2022
Lakers are really gonna miss the play in tournament huh
— ً (@TerrenceJCruz) March 30, 2022
#Lakers down 65-40
Pure definition of QUITTERS. A legendary franchise going through a pathetic season with no heart and respect for their fans.— JT The Brick (@JTTheBrick) March 30, 2022
The lakers should be banished from national TV for the remainder of the season. This is pathetic.
— 𝙰𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚠 𝙻𝚎𝚎𝚑𝚢 (@DoOrDieNasty) March 30, 2022
Here we go with another pathetic performance! Go ahead and chalk up the season I can't believe this is what it's come to. I wonder what anybody lose their job at the end of the year which will be in about 7 or 8 games
— Mr. Slim Dog (@MrSlimDog) March 30, 2022
The lakers are pathetic 🤣
— Burrow to Chase 🙌🏽 (@DawgsAndBengals) March 30, 2022
As a Lakers fan, I hope they don’t make the play-in. They’re a disgrace.
— Addam M. Francisco (@AddamFrancisco) March 30, 2022
Mavs pile more misery onto the Lakers
Doncic ended the game with 34 points and a triple-double, with the Lakers no doubt longing for the return of James and the long-injured Davis.
James and Davis didn't play after being listed as doubtful, which was actually an upgrade for Davis.
The eight-time All-Star hasn't played since mid-February because of a right mid-foot sprain. His first full practice since the injury was on Monday in Dallas.
The question is when the superstars return, with the Lakers in serious danger of missing out on the final play-in spot.
The Lakers finish their three-game road trip in Utah before returning home to complete back-to-back games against New Orleans.
The Pelicans are ninth in the West, a game ahead of the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.
Malik Monk scored 28 points and Russell Westbrook had 25 for the Lakers, who dropped their third straight for their fifth losing streak at least that long in the past two months.
Maxi Kleber capped an 11-0 run in the final 84 seconds of the first quarter with a coast-to-coast layup just before the buzzer. Dallas shot 64% for a 43-25 lead.
One of the few times LA tried to defend the three-pointer, Spencer Dinwiddie was fouled on a three that put Dallas up 63-33 in the second quarter. He missed the free throw.
The Mavericks were 11 of 19 from three-point range after Dinwiddie's make and finished with a season-high 20 in 46 attempts.
with agencies
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