Miami Heat Start West Coast Trip on a Loss to Los Angeles Lakers

The path to three consecutive wins this season was derailed, as the Miami Heat were dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers 138-117 at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night.

Despite another remarkable performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. The 10-time All-Star finished with 30 points on 58.8 percent shooting, 12 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and two blocks in 34 minutes. Antetokounmpo officially has three double-doubles, including two triple-doubles through the first seven games this season.

However, the numbers have not yet affected the win-loss record.

The Heat entered Monday night's game with a top-10 paint defense; however, the Lakers dominated the middle, 58-38. Newly acquired center Walker Kessler contributed, scoring 15 points on 53.8 percent shooting while grabbing 15 rebounds, plus two assists and two steals in 32 minutes. It's the 25-year-old's third consecutive double-double this season.

Lakers star duo Luka Doncic (42) and Austin Reaves (27) combined for 69 points, including 10 three-pointers made. The Heat's defense did not rise to the occasion when facing one of the highest-scoring one-two punches in the league. Also, Doncic had 13 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals in 36 minutes.

Adebayo regressed from two promising games with another underwhelming performance: 16 points on 50 percent shooting, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 31 games. He had the game's second-worst plus-minus (-23). Adebayo's inconsistencies have played a role in the Heat's slow start to the season, which currently stands at a 2-5 record.

The Lakers' bench unit outscored the Heat's 48-30, as veteran Sandro Mamukelashvili led with 13 points on 50 percent shooting, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 28 minutes. He was the only reserve of the game to reach double figures in scoring.

Despite having a high defensive standard, the Heat didn't match it. While Doncic and Reaves are prolific scorers, three other Lakers made at least two three-pointers; meanwhile, Kessler operated efficiently at the rim. The Heat's defense was outmatched inside and out.

Not the best start to a five-game West Coast road trip, but another opportunity awaits on Wednesday, this time against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome. There is no more Kawhi Leonard, which was resulted in Darius Garland becoming the leading scorer and facilitator. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. E.t. and will be televised on WPLG Local 10.

The Heat will need to win out the rest of the road trip to surpass .500 for the first time this season.

More Miami Heat News:

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- "Bam Adebayo: 'I Never Wanted to be Captain'"

- "Miami Heat's First Season Win Comes on Adebayo's Record-Breaking Night"