Image by bridgetds via FlickrIn Lakers Coach Phil Jackson's eyes, his team has been too inconsistent in its last six games.
There was the loss to the lowly Sacramento Kings on Friday night. There was the loss to a Dallas Mavericks team that had lost six games in a row. And there was the loss to the Clippers in which the Lakers blew a big lead.
Also in that six-game stretch were victories over Utah, Denver and Oklahoma City, three probable playoff teams.
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That leaves the Lakers with a 33-14 record, three games behind last season's pace after 47 games.
They will try to recapture some consistency Sunday at Staples Center against the Boston Celtics in a rematch of the NBA Finals.
"We've been up and down," Jackson said after practice Saturday. "We had a little run. I thought maybe we could make another little run in this homestand, but we're struggling a little bit."
Jackson said "we know why" the Lakers have been struggling.
"We're turning the ball over at inopportune moments," Jackson said. "We're not executing our offense very well. Transition defense, as a result, is not very good."
Maybe, it was suggested to Jackson, his team has slipped some in its play because the Lakers are coming off consecutive championships.
"We know that," Jackson said. "We know that sustaining that pace is going to be difficult. We know we have to get back on it, though. We have to get back on that horse and get going."
It won't be an easy ride for the Lakers.
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