3 improvements Lakers must make to beat Suns

2. Get better play from Dennis Schroder

This is an easy improvement in that it involves a player performing to his normal abilities. Schroder was not great against the Warriors, finishing with 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting (1-for-6 from 3-point range). He was a minus-20 line on the night, and it was not a good sign the Lakers were that far in the negative with one of their most important guys on the floor.

The problem is Schroder is still working his way back after missing nearly two weeks due to health and safety protocols. He normally averages over 32 minutes per game but is going to need time to get back in the proper shape.

Lakers fans are hoping that simple goal was accomplished Wednesday night. Schroder is responsible for an average of 15 points per game, and the Lakers will need him to succeed against Phoenix. Having your third-best scorer go cold in the postseason is not a recipe for success.

This is less of a general team improvement, but Frank Vogel needs to figure out how to get Schroder going again. It may be as simple as letting averages take over and hoping Schroder returns to his normal ways after one bad night.