Dillon Brooks Torches Lakers as Suns Rout

Merlin sees the Lakers slip into an odd chapter after a 132 108 loss to the Suns. At 19 9 they sit fourth in the West, yet all nine losses have been by double digits, the first time in 35 years. JJ Redick blamed effort, saying "We practice this stuff enough" and "it's making the choice." Phoenix shot 58.8 percent and hit 14 threes while Dillon Brooks led the way with a game high 25 points. Merlin notes the deeper wound is defense. Los Angeles ranks 24th in defensive rating at 117.6, and Austin Reaves flatly said "I think it's just a guard with five people every possession." With LeBron no longer the same two way force and opposing teams keying on Luka Dončić, trades before Feb 5 could help but fixes are not guaranteed.