Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Steph Curry scored 37 points and Brandon Podzimski added 28 as the Golden State Warriors downed the hometown Lakers 123-116. LeBron James had 33 points in the loss for Los Angeles. The Lakers will look to get back on the winning side of things Friday night when they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to town. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Support Us, By Supporting Our Sponsors! FAN DUEL 5-hour ENERGY

Wednesday in El Segundo, JJ Redick was given a chance to hype up Austin Reaves for this year's NBA Most Improved Player award. In his weird way, he advocated for Reaves by saying essentially that he can't/won't win because people just don't know what that award is supposed to be. By rejecting the plausibility of the premise, his implication was strong that Reaves is deserving. And is he a more worthy candidate than Cade Cunningham or Dyson Daniels (to name the two guys leading the betting odds for MIP)? Dunno. Those guys have had great seasons. But whether or not Reaves actually wins (which he very likely won't) is secondary to the viability of his candidacy. He deserves it, much more than some guys who find themselves in the running for MIP because they've finally gotten a chance to play, or went from crappy to pretty good! in ways that were unexpected. What Reaves has done this year is really, really hard. It's hard to go from solid player to All Star adjacent. It's really hard to make the transition from role player to franchise pillar. One of the guys who is expected to put up high quality numbers (and add quality leadership) on a night in, night out basis. The Lakers have a Big Three model. And even if Luka Dončić and LeBron James are tiers above Reaves overall, Reaves is still the third most important Laker, and it's really not close. The fact it's no longer debatable is a big reason the Lakers are winning as much as they are. (Last year, AR was third in name, but not in consistency. It wasn't always easy to definitively identify the team's third best player.) ' Now, he's a tremendous weapon, slotted into a great role in which to continue nurturing that growth. While Reaves has shown the ability to be the main man in games where LA's other stars have been missing, most of his floor time now is with either James, Luka or both. He can move and attack knowing the team's best defender isn't likely to be on him. He's empowered to use his creativity as a ball handler, passer and scorer, and when things are going well gets to do all three from positions of advantage. Does this make him an MIP? To the Lakers, surely, and their vote matters most, even if it doesn't come with at trophy. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a HUGE game tonight against the Warriors. SEGMENT 2: AR for MIP? SEGMENT 3: What about JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka for some awards love? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Head to 5-hourENERGY.com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized. WayFair After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Prizepicks Now’s the perfect time to join. Download the app todayand use codeLOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First...

At this time of year, you'll often hear players talk about how they don't pay attention to what's happening around them in the standings. We just focus on ourselves. We keep it tight, inside the building. We're controlling what we control. And, yeah, sure. Control what you control. That's always sound strategy. But the idea these guys don't pay attention to the standings? To how teams around them are doing? It is, and has always been, a crock of... well, you get it. The Lakers aren't playing that game. Following Monday's win against Houston, everyone in the locker room asked about the Western Conference standings made it very clear that they know what's going on. Why? Because it would be insane not to. The West is insanely competitive, and every possible advantage matters when it comes to maximizing the team's potential. Along those lines, the Lakers are still seeking the type of consistent performance you'd expect (at least on the surface) from an offense featuring Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves. We're starting to get clues as to how that might change, thanks to LeBron's newly re-launched podcast, of all things. Talking to new host Steve Nash (former Laker!), the Hall of Fame point guard marveled at the acceptance of roles since Luka arrived, and the possibilities available to Lakers with LeBron starting so many possessions away from the ball. LeBron, Nash said, is screening. Running the short roll. Spacing. Cutting. All the stuff guys can do when they don't have the ball in their hands. Some examples of how LeBron responded: When the Lakers acquired Luka, more than a few voices who figured it wouldn't/couldn't work because LeBron and Luka wouldn't be work together. It would just be "your turn, my turn" because neither guy would take a step back. Of course, they were really talking about LeBron, essentially saying his ego wouldn't let him cede control of LA's offense to its new superstar. None of it made sense. He's been looking for someone to help carry this burden for a few seasons. It's part of why the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook. (Just because it should have been really obvious that wasn't going to work doesn't mean the purpose was to make things easier for James.) This season, LeBron had already given up some responsibility to Reaves. If he was willing to do it for AR, why on earth wouldn't he make concessions for Luka Freaking Dončić? The path hasn't been smooth, and there will continue to be bumps along the way. But the ups and downs are because NBA basketball is really hard. Some nights things won't work the way you want. But broadly speaking, the Lakers are all pulling in the same direction, and more than that, LeBron seems to really enjoy this new style. He's not always drawing the best defender. He gets to attack closeouts, or cut because defenses aren't watching him. This is all stuff that has almost never happened over the course of his 22 years in the league. And because there's no power struggle, the Lakers are more likely to hit this season's ceiling... which still has the potential to be very, very high. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers know what's happening in the standings. SEGMENT 2: What should they be doing? SEGMENT 3: The most dangerous matchup. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Head to 5-hourENERGY.com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized. WayFair After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Prizepicks Now’s the perfect...

The Locked On NBA Squad Show West brings together hosts from various NBA podcasts to discuss the latest developments in the Western Conference. This episode delves into the surprising firing of Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins with just over a week left in the season. The hosts debate the merits of the decision, analyzing team performance and management expectations. They also explore coaching situations across other teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The conversation shifts to Kevin Durant's injury and its impact on the Phoenix Suns' playoff chances. The hosts speculate on potential trades involving Durant and discuss the current state of various Western Conference teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. 0:00 Intro: Grizzlies fire coach with week left 6:27 Debating merits of Grizzlies coaching change 12:52 Discussing coaching situations around the league 25:02 Would teams want to trade for Kevin Durant? 29:44 Can any "bad" teams win the NBA title? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Head to 5-hourENERGY.com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized. WayFair After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Prizepicks Now’s the perfect time to join. Download the app today and use code LOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Lakers showed a lot Monday night in their 104-98, even while the game was, to say the least, not a ton of fun to look at. Two teams, both playing extremely hard, both playing solid defense. But everyone knows at this point that, good as they are, the Rockets really can't score at an elite level. The Lakers, however, have Luka! They've got LeBron! Austin Reaves has been insanely good over the last 15 games! Points is their thing, right? Regular watchers of the team know that while that sort of potential is there, the Lakers haven't figured out how to make it happen every night. So Monday, they got into a game that was probably as close to ideal as Houston coach Ime Odoka could get. Dončić, James and Reaves combined for 48 points on 39 shots. Not exactly high end efficiency. But all three of them made critical defensive plays, and Luka's nine dimes helped provide a lot of the grease lubricating LA's offense. And the rest was provided through huge games from Dorian Finney-Smith (20 points, 6-11 from 3-point range) and Gabe Vincent (20 points, 6-13 from 3). Both of those guys shot a ton (for them) and shot the lights out because the Rockets stuck to a plan of forcing anyone but the stars to beat them. And they did! For teams to advance in the playoffs, they need to be able to win in a variety of ways. One dimensional squads, even when really good, can only hide for so long in the postseason because at some point, the matchups won't be in their favor, or a clever opposing coach will find a way to mitigate that one (really good!) dimension. Monday, the Lakers beat Houston playing Houston's style of basketball. They've won other games by running effectively, and plenty by defending well beyond what people expected. The Big Three didn't force the issue, they instead put faith in open players to make shots, and eventually it began to happen. The Lakers are still working to find their ceiling. They might not have enough time to get there. But they continue to uncover capabilities that will make them a harder out in the spring. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: An beautiful ugly win. SEGMENT 2: Dorian Finney-Smith Gabe Vincent! SEGMENT 3: Challenges coming. Every Dayers -We want to make The Every Dayer a cool thing to be. The truest fan is the Every Dayer. You reward your Every Dayers. An example “The Every Dayer might recall the show last week on Dak Prescott’s down field accuracy ……” “Every Dayers might have heard this before and I am going to say it again, if the Angels can’t win with Mike Trout …..” Create your Every Dayers community by referencing back to previous episodes, teasing ahead to future episodes, and getting engagement on social media and YouTube. Horizontal Teasing - Tease and push what you will be doing tomorrow or later in the week on the show. When you come out of a commercial, “Thanks for making Locked On Giants your first listen and tomorrow we will be looking at the bullpen to see if we can find a solution to the issues.” “Thanks for making Locked on Flames your first listen and remember Thursday is always Throwback Thursday on the show this week we look back at ....” First Listen - Start your podcast every day thanking your listeners for making you their first listen. The primary goal is to "train" your listener to make Locked On the first listen of their day and therefore increase the amount of episodes they listen to in a week. POSTCASTS - Not only do we cover your team, every day, but now we are giving you instant episodes after every single game! Check out the Locked On (Team Name) POSTCAST right here on the Locked On (Team Name) podcast feed, as well as streaming on the Locked On (City Name) YouTube channel. Get rapid reaction to all the biggest moments with the Locked On (Team Name) POSTCAST. Sponsor Show Notes (include all in each episode) Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box....

Luka Doncic scored 20 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 9 assists, and Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent added 20 offensive rebounds from the bench as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the visiting Houston Rockets 104-98. The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways Thursday night when they welcome Steph Curry and the Warriors to town. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Support Us, By Supporting Our Sponsors! GAMETIME

It wasn't long ago the Lakers had reached the 2nd spot in the Western Conference playoff race (by percentage points, but still second). Having fallen off that pace, if they have any hope of getting there again, the Lakers absolutely must beat the visiting Houston Rockets on Monday night, and then do it again on April 11 when Houston returns to town. The Lakers are yet to play the Rockets in the Luka Dončić Is a Laker Era, but certainly hope his career success against the Rockets carries over. Luka has averaged over 31 points and 10 rebounds in 18 career games against Houston, with nearly eight assists per night, as well. In three games last season, he lit them up for 41/10/9.3. Certainly the Lakers would happily accept that level of production. (Hopefully he has a grudge against someone in that organization.) But for LA, while the prospect of moving back up the playoff ladder is exciting, the big priorities remain first, stay out of the play in, and then try to earn home court for the first round. For the former, the enter Monday's game with a 2.5 game cushion over 7th place Minnesota, and with the latter, a one game lead (two, functionally, given the tiebreaker) on Memphis. Given the remaining schedule—the Lakers play Golden State on Thursday, have two games on the road against an OKC team still playing hard despite wrapping up the top seed in the conference, a Dallas squad getting healthier and the aforementioned second game against Houston. Even sprinkling in New Orleans and Portland in the regular season finale, there's just not much fluff in that slate. With that in mind, the excitement around tonight's game is about the clash of two teams that (for very different reasons) are sitting in a seed that wasn't expected earlier in the year. Plenty of people wonder if the Lakers and Rockets (especially the Rockets) really are true contenders this season, or if the records might be a mirage. It's exciting because it's the first look at how the new-look Lakers match up against Houston. But it's meaningful first and foremost because a win would give the Lakers that much more breathing room to absorb a loss or two down the stretch. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky with guest Jackson Gatlin SEGMENT: Lakers vs. Rockets. Why are the Rockets playing well again? SEGMENT 2: Matchups to watch. SEGMENT 3: What to look forward to down the stretch. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Head to 5-hourENERGY.com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized. WayFair After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Prizepicks Now’s the perfect time to join. Download the app todayand use codeLOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as...

The Lakers needed a win on Sunday in Memphis, and they got it. 134-127 over the Grizzlies, giving LA a key tiebreaker in the Western Conference playoff race, and keeping them in fourth place (in position to host a first round matchup). The big three were huge, with Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves combining for 85 points and 25 assists, as the Lakers moved the ball very well as a team and generated a lot of high quality shots. Reaves in particular made a ton of critical plays, many based on raw hustle. His 31 points led the team, and big picture continues to raise the level of his play. Given how many games the Lakers have played over the last month, and how motivated the Grizzlies were after the organization fired Taylor Jenkins Friday, this was a very impressive win. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Head to 5-hourENERGY.com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized. Prizepicks Now’s the perfect time to join. Download the app todayand use codeLOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Lakers received a balanced effort Saturday night in Memphis as Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 31 points, Luka Doncic added 29, and LeBron James chipped in with 25 as the Lakers grounded the Grizzlies 134-127. The Lakers finished their 4-game road trip with a 2-2 record and will host the Houston Rockets Monday night in Los Angeles. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Support Us, By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-hour ENERGY Daylight savings snuck up on us again, and if you’re feeling that lost hour of sleep, 5-hour ENERGY has your back! The extra sunshine means more time for fun, but sometimes you need a little boost to power through. Whether you’re staying up late watching the NCAA Tournament, squeezing in a round of golf after work, or just trying to keep up with your busy day, 5-hour ENERGY gives you that quick, refreshing pick-me-up whenever you need it. · Basketball Madness: I’ve been staying up late watching all the tournament action, and 5-hour ENERGY helps me keep up the next day. · Extra Daylight, Extra Activities: With longer days, I love getting outside for a hike or a run—Tropical Burst is my go-to for a quick boost! · On-the-Go Convenience: Whether I’m at a game or traveling, 5-hour ENERGY is easy to grab and keeps me feeling refreshed. CTA OFFER: Head to 5-hour ENERGY dot com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. You can even build your own 12-pack or 24-pack, delivered right to your door! Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized. Advertiser: FanDuel

ESPN's Tim MacMahon has covered Luka Dončić since his rookie season in Dallas, and knows the Mavericks franchise and organization as well as any reporter in the industry. All of which makes his new book, Wonderboy: Luka Dončić and the Curse of Greatness, a must-read for Lakers fans to learn more about the man slated to become the next franchise face. In part III of our interview with MacMahon, we discuss Luka's relationship with teammates and whether the Lakers are positioned to keep him happy. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Tim MacMahon. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN

The Lakers have lost games this season that they should have won. Every team does over the course of an 82-game season. They all count. So technically speaking, Thursday's 119-117 loss to the Bulls in Chicago is just one game on the calendar, like all the others. Except this late in the year, when there are so few games remaining, the impact of these terrible losses is far higher. So given that they were up by double digits with under five minutes to play, up by five with 12 seconds to play, and up by one with three seconds remaining... yeah, this one's gonna bruise. Especially when LeBron James, who is as smart a player the game has ever seen, was part of two plays that helped turn a win into a loss. First, on an inbounds pass with 12.6 seconds remaining, James got caught in no man's land, rotating too high towards Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, who swung the ball to Pat Williams in the corner. LeBron couldn't close fast enough, and Williams buried the triple. Then, with a timeout available, LeBron dropped a horrible inbound pass in the direction of Austin Reaves that was easily picked off by Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who kicked it to Coby White for another three. Five point lead? Try one point deficit. You could watch LeBron play 100 more games before seeing a play that bad. And then James, like everyone else on the Lakers, let Giddey move unobstructed up the floor for his buzzer beating heave from halfcourt. LeBron wasn't the only culprit, to be sure. Luka Dončić got off to a terrible start, got hot in the second half, but took a few questionable shots down the stretch. LA also caught some bad luck, as Chicago went nuclear in the fourth quarter, hitting 11-14 3-point attempts. That, as JJ Redick noted after the game, would be considered good work even in an empty gym. And it still took a 47-footer for the Bulls to win. But that's kind of the point. The Lakers did so much good stuff to overcome a slow start and put what seemed like a stranglehold on the game. But a little organic bad luck combined with a lot of the type the Lakers created for themselves means they lost out on an opportunity to stick closer to the Nuggets for the 3-seed, and missed a chance to move ahead of Memphis and give themselves a better grip on the fourth spot. It's fair to wonder how they'll react heading into a critical game Saturday against the Grizzlies. Redick said they don't have time to feel sorry for themselves, and the staff won't let them, anyway. So while it's easy to wonder about the emotional impact and any potential for carryover into the weekend, the more immediate hit is practical. This hurts the Lakers in the standings. It almost certainly eliminates a shot at the 2-seed, even with two games remaining against Houston, unless the Rockets totally collapse. It hurts their efforts to keep home court in the first round, and it keeps the threat of dropping to 7th and the play-in tournament alive. In short, it's bad, and the way it happened, with so many moments where it seemed the Lakers would walk away with a win, literally until the end? Certainly makes it feel worse. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: What was LeBron thinking? SEGMENT 2: Failures down the stretch. SEGMENT 3: Practical impact. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of...

Josh Giddy’s half court three-pointer at the buzzer erased a 16-point Lakers lead to hand Los Angeles a 119-117 loss. Austin Reaves led the Lakers in the defeat with 30 points and Luka Doncic added 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists; it wasn’t enough as the Lakers have lost two of their first three games on this 4-game road trip. The Bulls were led by Josh Giddy’s triple-double, who had 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers vs Chicago Bulls Support Us, By Supporting Our Sponsors! Advertiser: FanDuel

In what should come as no surprise to anybody, Jordan Goodwin's two-way contract was converted by the Lakers as soon it his days were up, allowing him to remain on the roster for the remainder of the season and, most importantly, the playoffs. Cam Reddish was also, unsurprisingly, waived to create the roster space for Goodwin. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

They figured it out. After looking like they couldn't lose, the Lakers looked like they couldn't win. But in the end, they found a way, staging a fourth quarter comeback to beat the Indiana Pacers on the road, 120-119. Luka Donćić led the way among scorers with 34. Austin Reaves was on fire in the second quarter, and finished with 24 points. LeBron James entered the fourth quarter with three (3) points. Not a typo. He went on a personal run to quickly get up to 11, but saved his best for last. As a potential Luka game-winner trickled off the front of the rim with barely a second to play, LeBron was there to tip it in and beat the buzzer. In the end, it's a huge win for a Lakers team that had to have it. They worked hard—JJ Redick noted that going in, the staff said this would be a game won on multiple effort plays, which turned out to be true. They weathered a lot of storm, and beat back the nervous vibes that can creep in with a team that's not in a great spot. And while the offense periodically lost its way, down the stretch when the Lakers needed points, they generated them consistently, and generally converted. Especially Rui Hachimura, who had a pair of massive triples down the stretch, despite barely having touched the ball to that point. That level of execution (including some adjustments in how they got into the offense) was great to see It looks a lot different than it might had the Lakers lost by a point instead of winning by one, no question. But the way the Lakers were able to celebrate as a team while they waited for the official ruling of a made basket that was very obviously coming, it felt like a major weight being lifted. It's risky to say one game snaps them out of the funk they've been in over the last couple of games, but it's certainly possible for a win like this to change the vibes in important ways. We'll find out fast, because the Lakers are back in action Thursday in Chicago. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get a buzzer beater from LeBron, beat Indiana. SEGMENT 2: Does the win shift the vibes? SEGMENT 3: Adjustments! Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

ESPN's Tim MacMahon has covered Luka Dončić since his rookie season in Dallas, and knows the Mavericks franchise and organization as well as any reporter in the industry. All of which makes his new book, Wonderboy: Luka Dončić and the Curse of Greatness, a must-read for Lakers fans to learn more about the man slated to become the next franchise face. In part II of our interview with MacMahon, we discuss Luka's insanely competitive streak, the questions about his conditioning, and the controversial trade to the Lakers. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Tim MacMahon. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN

Following Monday's disappointing loss in Orlando, Dorian Finney-Smith made a very solid point about the Lakers, where they are now, and where they want to go. Ultimately, he says, adversity helps a team with championship aspirations. You have to go through it (to use JJ Redick's phrasing) in order to truly see the flaws and fix them. Coming through adversity is the hard thing. Great teams must be able to do hard things. So while professional athletes have a remarkable capacity to believe that whatever situation they're in is the one that they need at that moment, DFS is speaking truth, here. (And, side note, it reinforces why the guy is so universally popular with every teammate and coach he's ever had.) Obviously players need to be accountable, and on that front Luka Dončić took some responsibility for the second half drop in communication Monday, noting he has to do better. He and LeBron, Luka said, have to set the tone and the example for the group. That's a great start, but the list of things the Lakers need to get right extends past the players. Yes, they need to pull their weight, but the team is also being schemed against in different ways—fewer double teams against Luka, for example, which has caused the team to get stagnant as possessions get iso heavyand have to make the appropriate adjustments. That, to be sure, puts a burden on the coaching staff to counter the counters. So everyone from the stars to the role guys to the coaching staff has work to do in order to get this thing aligned. If they can't, the playoff run won't be nearly as fun or as long as fans have come to hope. But the good news? Lets say the Lakers can find a way to create better space and movement while everyone is being single covered. Let's say they start generating that same volume of high quality shots and assisted baskets as during the best runs of the season. Now they're even more dangerous, because it's one less tool in the opposing coach's tool box. The Lakers don't have a ton of time to figure it out, and no matter what happens, the summer will provide an opportunity to fill some holes the roster obviously has. But there's enough time, and the Lakers are led by a couple of basketball supercomputers in Dončić and James. So ultimately, there are still more reasons to be excited than despair. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Luka takes some blame. SEGMENT 2: Balance, balance, balance. SEGMENT 3: Reaves off the bench? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Locked On NBA Squad Show brings together hosts from various NBA team podcasts to discuss the latest league happenings. In this episode, the panel debates the relevance of March basketball, analyzes playoff positioning, and evaluates recent team performances. They focus on the Denver Nuggets' struggles, the Houston Rockets' surprising success, and potential playoff matchups. The hosts also engage in playful banter about team rivalries and discuss which NBA franchises should be "relegated" for poor performance or tanking. Throughout the conversation, the panel offers insights on player impacts, team strategies, and the unpredictable nature of the upcoming playoffs. 0:00 Intro: March basketball and NBA discussions 5:02 Lakers' defense and playoff potential 10:37 Nuggets' playoff chances and matchups 16:08 Houston Rockets' strengths and weaknesses 21:53 Mavericks' playoff push and Anthony Davis 26:26 Relegating NBA teams to G League Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Prizepicks Now’s the perfect time to join.Download the app today and use code LOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! TALKSPACE Therapy is a game-changer. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to Talkspace.com/LOCKEDONNBA and enter promo code SPACE80 to get $80 off your first month and show your support for the show. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel From the first whistle to the final drive, FanDuel makes the NFL Playoffs even more exciting! Right now, new customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get THREE HUNDRED BUCKS in BONUS BETS – if you win your first bet! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. Make this playoff season unforgettable with FanDuel, an official sportsbook partner of the NFL. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

ESPN's Tim MacMahon has covered Luka Dončić since his rookie season in Dallas, and knows the Mavericks franchise and organization as well as any reporter in the industry. All of which makes his new book, Wonderboy: Luka Dončić and the Curse of Greatness, a must-read for Lakers fans to learn more about the man slated to become the next franchise face. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Tim MacMahon. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN

Over an 82 game regular season, it's important not to become a prisoner of the moment, whether the short-term trends are positive or negative. This is particularly true for teams where the stakes,—and the expectations—are high. So big picture, the Lakers are still in a good position, even after dropping Monday's game in Orlando, 118-106. Small picture? There are definitely some red flags. The defensive numbers aren't great over the last two games, but perhaps more worrisome is the disappearance of any real offensive flow. Monday's game was a series of one-on-one possessions, starting with Luka Dončić, and then with LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Sometimes one of those guys made a shot, quite often one of them was fouled. (Luka and LeBron combined for 18 trips to the line.) But overall, it wasn't efficient, and more importantly, it took all the pop out of LA's offense. There was very little ball movement (19 assists ain't a good number) and even less player movement. The Magic are a very good defensive team, but broadly it seems that the league has started to adjust to the Lakers with Luka, particularly when LeBron is available. Orlando played the Lakers pretty straight, picking the lesser of two evils—basically, it's better to let those guys go iso and live with the results than it is to open the floor to guys who see it at the level of LA's star trio. This strategy has the added benefit of making Jaxson Hayes less effective, cutting out a couple free buckets a game for the purple and gold. So is it now a situation where the Lakers have to adjust to the adjustment? If so, a trio of Luka, LeBron and JJ Redick seems like a solid braintrust responsible for figuring it out. But they need to figure it out, and relatively quickly. The supporting cast, which was (save Dorian Finney-Smith) non-existent Monday night (LA's bench was outscored by Orlando's Anthony Black 17-14) depends on the high shot quality the Lakers can create with great ball and player movement. A good offense keeps the defense in rhythm, keeps players energized and gives the Lakers more margin for error. It's not going to get easier, but there's still enough time to get it straightened out. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Another clunker for the Lakers. SEGMENT 2: What happened to the offense? SEGMENT 3: The bench needs to be better. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

After an extremely disappointing and disjointed 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls, JJ Redick confirmed his strong belief in the Lakers but said the team must immediately rediscover its connectivity from the last three months. How difficult will/won't be to hit the ground running after a hiccup? Plus, talk about Rui Hachimura's "70-80 percent" knee, Jordan Goodwin's two-way contract inevitably getting converted soon, and more. Hosts: Andy Kamenetzky and Brian Kamenetzky Segment 1: The upcoming roadie is huge, and so is the importance of quickly getting back on track. Segment 2: Rui's knee. Segment 3: More on reconnecting as a team, and Goodwin's impending full NBA contract. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)