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LeBron: 'We can't turn the ball over' against Heat, it starts with me

David Dow / National Basketball Association / Getty

On a night where the Los Angeles Lakers turned the ball over 19 times - including 13 between LeBron James and Anthony Davis - the team believes fine-tuning their offensive execution will be crucial in holding the Miami Heat in check.

"We know that we can't turn the ball over versus this team," James said following the 115-104 defeat, according to ASAP Sports. "They are very active defensively. It starts with myself, being the starting point guard of the team, having five first-half turnovers, eight total for the game."

James' turnover tally matched a season high previously reached four times - including Dec. 13 versus the Heat.

The 35-year-old continued: "Can't do that, obviously, because it gives them more possessions and doesn't allow us to set our defense. They are really, really good offensively, so you just can't turn the ball over against that team. I take full responsibility for that."

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel added the team's turnover issues in Game 3 were not a matter of how hard his team was working.

"It wasn't about effort," Vogel said. "It was just about execution, but again, credit their defense. They played a terrific game, forced a lot of those turnovers. We'll look at the tape and see how we can be better."

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