Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

They say the two hardest games of a long road trip are the last one, and the first one back home after it's done. 

The Lakers at the least proved the latter, struggling for about 3.5 quarters against the visiting, and terrible, Brooklyn Nets before building a lead and winning 116-99. It'll look in the box score like an easy win, but it was anything but. Luka Donćić led the way with 41 points, while Austin Reaves got hot late to add 26. The centers were productive, combining for 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks. 

But Luka picked up his 16th tech -- again -- after some jawing and a little push on Zaire Williams. The odds of this one being rescinded seem smaller. The NBA can only go back to that well so many times. 

It wasn't attractive, they won't like it, and neither will JJ Redick, but the Lakers got the win. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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By most measurements, JJ Redick had a successful rookie season as a head coach. Especially when you consider it was his first time coaching players older than middle school. 

But when the playoffs rolled around, some of Redick's inexperience showed. From the way he prepared the team, to decisions made during the series, it was clear the Lakers were, at best, not elevated by their head coach. Now the Lakers are in a similar position, closing in on a 3-seed after a strong push while overcoming a variety of challenges inside the season. 

So is Redick, with another year under his belt, ready to be an asset to the Lakers this postseason? Are there tangible signs of improvement? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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The Lakers had all sorts of momentum heading into last year's playoffs, seemingly at least, and plenty of pundits who thought they'd beat Minnesota in the first round -- your hosts here included -- and potentially make a legit deep run. 

Well, we know how that turned out. 

In the end, some of their shortcomings -- no viable centers, a lack of point of attack defense, spotty outside shooting -- were bigger issues than anticipated. This year, the Lakers have played dominant ball over the last few weeks, and once again look poised to enter the postseason on a high note. So are they actually better than last year, or could once again fans be peering at a mirage? 

Well, on paper at least it seems like the former. The center position is improved, with Deandre Ayton playing well and Jaxson Hayes a significantly better player now than he was last year (and he'll be up against backups, which helps). Luke Kennard provides serious shooting chops, and meaningful gravity. Marcus Smart has done wonders for the D. LeBron James has a role that should suit sustained playoff success, and Luka Dončić is playing better now than he was at this point last year... a season where he started the year hurt and played catchup the rest of the way. 

That's a lot of reason for optimism. Doesn't mean they're not flawed, but last year's problems at least shouldn't be this year's. Not to the same degree, at least. 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are poised to be better in the postseason. 

SEGMENT 2: Centers! Smart! Kennard! 

SEGMENT 3: Why improvement at the top is critical, too. 

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Robinhood
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Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm.

5-Hour ENERGY

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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)

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The Lakers are in a very good position, with a decent lead over Denver and Minnesota for the third and fourth seeds in the West (critical, given they deliver home court in the first round), and a schedule including four games against tanking teams plus one against a Warriors squad that is trying to win but has major injury issues. 

So with that in mind, they should have the opportunity to handle the rest question for players in whatever way they see best. 

And with that in mind, JJ Redick says they're going to keep pushing through to the end... while also being smart about it. 

If guys are hurt, they'll sit. But at least for now, don't look for wholesale absences due just to rest. Redick wants to keep the rhythm and chemistry going, and surely is informed by last season's Game 1 failure against Minnesota, where Redick blamed himself for not pushing the team harder during the week between the team's last game and the start of their series. 

So is he coming at it the right way? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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The Lakers understood the assignment and while they may not have scored an A+++ in completing it, the work was plenty good. 

They raced out to a big first quarter lead, and spent most of the game up between 15 and 20 before a late push from Indiana, but the Lakers were never truly threatened and beat the Pacers 137-130 and finish the road trip 5-1. 

The Lakers were playing without Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton, who was downgraded Wednesday with lower back soreness. Still, four of the five starters finished in double figures, paced by Luka Donćić's 43 points. Austin Reaves had a strong second half, LeBron was an assist and a rebound away from a triple double, and Jaxson Hayes had 21 filling in for Ayton. Even Bronny James gave them good minutes off the bench. 

So all in all, this was a very, very good night. The last game in a long road trip is often a big challenge, and the Lakers never let Indiana think they were going to win. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win in Indiana, finish the trip strong. 

SEGMENT 2: The Big Three keep cooking. 

SEGMENT 3: JJ says they'll play through the tape. 

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Robinhood
You’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood.
Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm.

5-Hour ENERGY

Indeed

Gametime

FanDuel

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)

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A few of the NBA's chronic headaches have been on fuller display this season than is typical. Starting with the problems associated with tanking, and now with the 65-game rule instituted in the last CBA to encourage players and teams to manage load management. Too many players were missing important games, went the logic, so tie games played to eligibility for postseason honors. 

It was a bad policy targeting the wrong source of the problem, and this year, with seemingly half the league's best players ineligible, things have finally come to a head. The last straw seemed to be the injury to Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who likely will fall just short of the threshold after suffering a collapsed lung. 

The NBAPA has called for the rule's removal. The league seems open to it. 

And meanwhile, there's an interesting situation brewing in Milwaukee, where Giannis says he wants to play, and the Bucks are saying no. Now who is being truly honest here? Certainly the Bucks, who have no incentive to put an already banged-up Giannis at risk for more injury. Giannis himself, however, is in a win-win. Just by saying he wants to play, he looks like an honorable guy, dedicated to the franchise. Again, being a good soldier who is too respectful and dedicated to the fans of Milwaukee to ask for a trade. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity - and no cutsomer - slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba.

Robinhood
You’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood.
Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm.

5-Hour ENERGY

Indeed

Gametime

FanDuel

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)

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The Lakers played Monday without Marcus Smart, who is day to day with an ankle injury. 

They lost, and the win streak stopped at nine. Is Smart's absence the reason the Pistons topped LA? Not directly, but as JJ Redick noted after, it played a big role. And the game certainly reinforced the outsized role Smart has in the team's success. He's been a catalyst for their defensive improvement, a big influence on a strong team culture, and playing with him (as opposed to Rui Hachimura) has helped turn the Big Three into a net positive from a net negative. 

Put it all together, and while it's hard to argue he's as important as those three guys... it's maybe not as big a gap as you might think. 

Smart is as indispensable to LA's playoff hopes as anyone on the roster. If Deandre Ayton raises the ceiling, Smart prevents the floor from dropping out. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity - and no cutsomer - slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba.

Robinhood
You’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood.
Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm.

5-Hour ENERGY

Indeed

Gametime

FanDuel

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)

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The Lakers tried, coming back from down by as much as 16 points Monday night in Detroit, but ultimately they couldn't keep the win streak alive. 

It dies at nine, as the Pistons top LA, 113-110. 

Daniss Jankins, in the lineup replacing Detroit's MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, lit up the purple and gold. HIs 30 points included the game winning points, including the bucket putting Detroit up by three with about ten seconds to play. The Lakers got the ball into Luka Dončić, but the play was jacked from the start and Luka's last second heave never had a chance. 

He finished with an inefficient 32. Austin Reaves had another good game, with 24 points on 15 FGAs, plus five assists. LeBron James, held scoreless in the first half, was one rebound away from a trip-dub by the end. Playing a little shorthanded (no Marcus Smart, no Rui Hachimura) a tired Lakers team did what they could. You can't fault the effort. And LA can still finish the trip at 5-1 by beating Indiana on Wednesday. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: The streak finally ends. 

PrizePicks
Download the PrizePicks app today and use codeLOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.
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Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity - and no cutsomer - slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba.

Robinhood
You’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood.
Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm.

5-Hour ENERGY

Indeed

Gametime

FanDuel

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)

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