Playing without LeBron James and Rajon Rondo, then losing Kyle Kuzma to a lower back contusion, left the Los Angeles Lakers with little margin for error against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As has been the case throughout the season, free throw shooting ultimately came back to cost them.
The Lakers rallied and took a lead into the fourth quarter, only to allow the Thunder bench unit to mount a comeback. L.A. struggled to corral defensive rebounds and when they were on offense, couldn’t capitalize when sent to the free throw line.
Lonzo Ball missed three consecutive free throws during one crucial stretch and finished the night 1-for-5.