LA Lakers out to halt skid with Memphis Grizzlies in town for 2 games

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic moves the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

LOS ANGELES – Amid their worst stretch of the NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers will work on fixing their issues during back-to-back home games against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The first of those consecutive contests arrives on Friday (Saturday morning, Singapore time) as the Lakers have lost four of their past five games, while the Grizzlies enter on a two-game skid.

The Lakers’ most recent defeat was a 128-106 late collapse against the visiting Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Austin Reaves has been on an extended absence with a calf injury, while Rui Hachimura also missed the defeat with his own calf issue.

Down two starters, Los Angeles committed 21 turnovers the Pistons were able to turn into 30 points. Point guard Luka Doncic had 30 points with 11 assists, but he also turned the ball over eight times while departing briefly with a left shoulder injury.

He returned in the fourth quarter but missed all three of his shots from the floor in the final period, missed both of his free-throw attempts and had two turnovers.

“We played good basketball for three quarters, physical basketball,” Doncic said, while admitting his and the team’s mistakes. “We just kind of let go of the rope.”

The Lakers were 19-7 heading into a Dec 20 game against the cross-town Los Angeles Clippers but are 20-11 now and