Pistons dominate the paint

LAKERS TAKEAWAYS

- By Tuuc Nu NGuYEN

The Lakers started Tuesday by singing “Happy Birthday” to LeBron James as the superstar forward turned 41. They ended it by singing another familiar, but more somber, tune.

The Lakers got blown out again Tuesday, letting a close game devolve into a 128-06 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

James scored 17 points with four assists and five turnovers while the Lakers (20-11) lost by 20 points for the sixth time this season. They are tied for the third-most 20-point losses in the league, yet somehow are still clinging to fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

“The intent and the, like, effort was there for the most part tonight,” coach JJ Redick said. “.. The turnovers and the fast-break points, they kill you.”

Here are three takeaways from the loss:

Detroit executes its sound game plan

The scouting report was clear. The Pistons (25-8) were second in the league in points in the paint. They were third in points off turnovers and in turnovers forced.

The Lakers played directly into Detroit’s hands.

Detroit scored 74 points in the paint, the most given up by the Lakers all season, and capitalized on 21 Lakers turnovers for 30 points. Entering the game, the Pistons’ 58.1 points in the paint per game were only behind Oklahoma City’s league-leading 58.2.