The Lakers opened up their first home stand of 2024 with a 110-96 loss to the Miami Heat.

The team has had few chances to be whole all season and tonight they were missing Rui Hachimura with a calf strain, D’Angelo Russell due to a tailbone contusion, and Gabe Vincent, who will be out for some time with the decision to get knee surgery.

“We can’t find any consistency until we get healthy. It’s as simple as that,” Head Coach Darvin Ham said after the game.

With shifting lineups, the team has had a difficult time finding their rhythm. Anthony Davis and LeBron James have remained anchors while the personnel around them changes constantly, and guys have stayed ready and stepped up off the bench, but lately it hasn’t been enough to propel LA to victory.

Miami was without Jimmy Butler, the team still managed to all finish in double-figures. Tyler Herro led his team with 21 points including four-of-eight triples. Rookie Jaime Jacquez Jr. was right behind him with 16 points and eight assists, and Bam Adebayo threw in 15 points and eight rebounds.

While Miami found more answers offensively, it was their zone defense that made things especially difficult for the Lakers and forced them to tie a franchise record for most turnovers in a first quarter (10).

Anthony Davis had 29 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and two steals tonight. Despite 21 total turnovers and 13.3% shooting from outside, Davis kept the Lakers in this game. The Lakers outscored Miami in the paint, 60-42 and outrebounded them by 15; Davis led both of these charges.

LeBron had a lighter night scoring than usual with 12 points but was eager to move the ball around with nine dimes.

Two of LA’s four threes came from Austin Reaves who returned to the starting lineup tonight and contributed 24 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. The other two threes were on behalf of second-year player Max Christie who brought 14 points, five rebounds, and a monster dunk on 6’ 9” Bam Adebayo.

The Lakers are now a game below .500 at 17-18. The team is back on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies.