Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers - LAKERS POSTCAST Lakers beat the Heat 117-108

Episode Date: January 16, 2025

The Lakers had six players score in double figures, led by Rui Hachimura’s 23 points, as the Lakers snapped their 3-game losing streak, beating the visiting Miami Heat 117-108. LeBron James and Anthony Davis added 22, and Austin Reeves had 14 points and 14 assists as the Lakers rallied from 12 down at the half to win by 9. The Heat were led in scoring by Tyler Herro’s 34 in the loss. The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways Friday night when they host the New Jersey Nets.Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Lakers vs Heat, Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Support Us, By Supporting Our Sponsors!HUNGRY ROOTYou’re going to love Hungryroot as much as I do. For a limited time, get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba and use code LOCKEDONNBA. That’s Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba, code LOCKEDONNBA to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba, code LOCKEDONNBA—don’t miss out!WAYFAIRGive your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. That’s W-A-Y-F-A-I-R dot com. Every style. Every home Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You are a Locked-on Lakers Postcast. Part of Locked-on Sports Los Angeles on the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. We had his best game in a Laker uniform. LeBron played like a king, and the Lakers played their best second half of the season. We talk about it all on the Lockdown Lakers Postcast. I'm Dave Pallet. Thanks for joining me tonight. Again, talking Laker basketball with you after every single Laker game.

Win or lose, that's the way it goes. of course, taking comments as well. I appreciate it. Again, Lakers snap a three-game losing street, and that is big. Look, I love doing these shows talking Laker basketball, but boy, it is not that much fun when the team loses. And when the team loses, I get frustrated, you get frustrated, and we try and figure out a better way to make things work a little bit. I guess the way we expect, as Laker fans, which means wins, win the games you're supposed to win. The heat, of course, tonight plunders out, Jimmy Butler, Dwayne Fiske, Dwayne,

Penny Smith, he's out. Congratulations to him and welcome a brand new baby to the world. But for the Lakers, they stepped up and it didn't go that way at the beginning. And at the beginning, it was one where there's major concern. Things ended great. But when we talk about what the Lakers have to do to prove that they're a team that not only other teams have to worry about in the postseason, what does this team have to do with the roster? And when you're watching that game at the beginning tonight, you have major roster concerns. And you're sitting there and you're worried a little bit saying, what is going on?

with the team and what is going on with Rob Polinka. Can't he see he did not put good pieces together? Well, the Lakers did pull it together in the second half, but one of those games, we'll start from the beginning. And the Lakers, again, in the first quarter, they struggle, you know, and it was one of those where it was one player came to play for the Lakers in the first quarter, and it was Anthony Davis. If you recall, probably Anthony Davis's worst game of the season was the game the

Lakers played in Miami because it seemed like Anthony Davis gave a terrible effort. It's one of those things that's frustrating as sports fans because we always like to believe, man, if I ever had an opportunity to be a professional athlete, I'd be this kind of guy. And I would do this with the fans. And I would do this. Well, we aren't going to get that opportunity. Anthony Davis is a future Hall of Famer, but we know we can call out even a future Hall of Famer for not given great effort.

And the game he played against Miami, you know, assuming he didn't have an injury, look like just a lazy game, the one that he was disincent. interested in. So the Lakers starting five, when Anthony Davis, Rui, Austin Reeves, Max, Chrissy, LeBron James, it looks like this is the lineup that JJ Redick is going to stay with for a while. Lakers didn't shoot terribly bad. The Lakers actually with Anthony Davis having 12 points as a team, they shot 60% from the field, 56% three point range. Seems outstanding, right? Bench points, a little disappointing. It gave Vincent. The deal is the story in the first quarter, it was Tyler Hero. And man, I don't know about you, but.

unless he's wearing a Laker uniform someday, I'm so tired of Tyler Hero. I've had enough. Tyler Hero went off on the Lakers when they're in Miami. And he comes to L.A. And again, he looks like he's one of the best players in the NBA. And he's a very good player. But when you watch Tyler Hero against the Lakers,

he looks like a top five player in the league. And it's frustrating. So right off the bat, Tyler here was 16 points. Perfect. Five of five from the field. Four or four from three point range. Two or two from the free throw line. And he just shake your head.

And it's just amazing that, you know, an NBA player where you know the Lakers are focusing on him, they can't do anything. Bench points. Miami gets off to a better start. They have five points compared to the Lakers. Again, it's not feeling great when the, you know, Lakers are struggling and shooting really well, yet they're down 3834. Second quarter, the Miami Heat, they do well there too.

And the heat went that quarter, 2820, the heat going a 10-0 run, and they own the entire quarter and nothing was good. There's so many different complaints. I think as Laker fans, we're watching that game in the second quarter where you get frustrating, what is wrong with the Lakers defense? And for me, I'm looking at the three point line. And, you know, a lot of times when, you know, you're playing basketball with friends or you're at a local gym, a lot of guys just shoot right from that line. Well, today's NBA, that that line is kind of stretched out where guys will shoot from. We've seen LeBron do it. We've seen Steph Curry do it, obviously, a bunch of times. But guys don't exactly shoot that ball right from behind the

line, they're stretching the other teams out. The Lakers defense on where they set up on a team like Miami and a shooter like Tyler Hero was frustrating. Make an adjustment. Make him play offense from further out because if he has all that room to work with, he just will pick you apart. And that's exactly what happened today. It was frustrating looking at the defense. And I think the defense changed a lot in the second half. But again, the heat went on a 10-0 run. They on the quarter. Tyler Hero had six points. He had 22 at that point. And a stat that was frustrating was the heat bench outscored the Lakers 16 to 3. And it becomes frustrating going again, the Lakers pulled off a trade a few weeks ago, yet we aren't seen usually the change

you see on why you make a trade, meaning why things aren't paying off for the Lakers. So kind of frustrating. At the half, the heat have a 12-point lead. They lead 6654. It's starting to feel like Laker basketball. What is wrong with our team? Why can't the Lakers, I basically put together a decent half? Why can the Lakers finish a game? This game felt like it was going to end really poorly. Like this is one of those games, the Lakers is going to lose by more than 20 at home. And you shake your head and go, there are no answers. Lakers at the half, they shot 46% from the field, 31% from from the Rx, 63% from the free throw line. Outside of the 46% from the field that can take, all those stats, driving me crazy, especially that free throw shooting. I don't understand how the Lakers can't

shoot free throws, especially that they can't shoot free throws at home. Lakers were led at the half. Of course, Anthony Davis, he had 14. Now, Rui had 12. Now, for Rui, we said, what is going on with Rui? Ever since the trade to get, Darren, excuse me, Finney Smith, how's that to the Lakers, he's, he has struggled. And people have thought, well, maybe he's looking over his shoulder. and maybe the fact is that you're hearing all these rumors that, you know, the Lakers are looking to make a change in the starting lineup, and Rui would be the one that comes out. Well, Doreen Fennie Smith is a guy that is in a situation where he hasn't said anything

that we know about and everything right now seems to stay the way it is. So whatever is going on with Rui and why he hasn't played well since the trade, I don't think a lot of people understand. And it's kind of strange that he had the game of his life tonight in a Laker uniform him when Finney Smith is at the hospital with his wife as she just had the baby. Kind of strange. So I don't know what's going on in his head, but man, it was great to see a great night from from him overall.

The Lakers again, Anthony Davis 14 where we had 12.6 rebounds. He was active. LeBron James, seven points four assists, three rebounds for the heat. It was all heat. So the heat shot 58% from the field, 56% from behind the arc, also 93% from the line. The heat had just amazing numbers. Just dream numbers for any NBA team. Pretty impressive.

Tyler Hero for the heat, he did miss a shot, actually, in the first half. Finish 7 of 8, 5 of 5 from 3 point range, perfect 3 from 3 from the line. Just an incredible first half for him. And you're thinking how to you possibly slow him down. The heat also made 10 of 18 from 3 point range as a team compared to the Lakers 5 is 16. The heat outscored the Lakers 2218, oh, outrebound of the Lakers 2218. And the Lakers, though, the one thing they did well was they moved the ball a little bit. Lakers had 14 assists.

They did win this category, 14 assists to 12. Lakers only had five turnovers, which is a huge plus for a Laker team that does turn the ball over too much. Yet you're losing by 12 at the half. The heat, by the way, had nine. Lakers scored 13 points off of the Miami turnovers. The heat scored only seven. Pretty big. Now, points in the paint, the stats always misleading when you look at points in the paint.

It used to mean something back in the day when you looked at old basketball before the idea was to everybody fire up the best three-pointer you can get. Lakers doubled up the point and the points in the paint from Miami, 32 to 16. But again, when you add up the numbers, one is worth two points and one is worth three points. You know, eventually you can see why the score is that much in favor of Miami. 21 bench points for the heat. Lakers bench points were five. Gabe Vincent had all five. And it's frustrating again.

Like how deep is this team and what is this? this team doing as far as getting better moving forward. So it becomes, it becomes frustrating again, as Laker fans, when we see that the team is, is struggling on that. So overall, can the bench get better? Can Rob Polinka figure something out? Can they figure out something in the rotation? Jared Vanderbilt, once he's coming back? I mean, you're hearing all these stories. I'll believe it when I see it. He's like DJ Tark for the Chargers. I'll believe it when I see it. As far as I know, I'm tired of looking at them in street clothes on the bench. And look, the best ability is availability. and Vanderbilt hasn't been available,

and that's what becomes extremely frustrating. We'll get to comments as well. Also look at an amazing second half for this team, but first want to mention our good friends at Hungry Route when it comes to grocery shopping and meal planning. I've had this ongoing problem, just like many of you. I just don't have time between work, life, trying to eat healthier,

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Don't miss out. So great option for you right there. Again, Lakers at the half, the team struggled. And, of course, that is frustrating as they're down by 12. Miami won the first quarter, 3834. They won the second quarter, 2820. And one of those, you're thinking, man, I have other things to do with my night, but can the Lakers put on a show?

And for the Lakers, we know that whatever is said at halftime, those halftime speeches haven't been great. And the Lakers usually come out kind of slow. Well, this was a different situation tonight for the Lakers. The Lakers actually came out on fire. Lakers outscored the heat in the third quarter, 2919. And so we're going, okay, they outscored them 29-19. At 29-19, heat still lead, of course, after the third quarter,

but at the same time, it was a big step for the Lakers. The Lakers jumped out to a 7-0 lead to cut the deficit down to 60-6-61. Eventually, they cut the heat lead down to 1. The Lakers finished the quarter on a 10-2 run, which was great. Lakers had all five of the starters at this point in double figures, led by 20 from Anthony Davis, 16 from Rui. and probably the only thing we really were worried about was what was going to happen with Austin Reeves

as he had four fouls in the third quarter. Tyler Hero, by the way, at this time, had 29 points to 30 minutes of play. So the Lakers, you're feeling they have an opportunity to do something great. They have an opportunity to put together a second half they haven't been able to do, but also at the same time,

figure out an identity. You're playing a man short with Finney Smith out, but at the same time, what is your identity? meaning are you the kind of team that is going to throw the towel in and to say we can't win, we can't get put on a decent show in front of our fans of crypto, what's going to happen when you go on the road when it's only going to get worse? And this Laker team was able to rally and something we haven't seen. And when you're seeing guys in the box score who are getting double digits,

you have to feel good. It means everybody feels like they're involved. It keeps the energy up. It keeps the effort up. It keeps the entire team involved knowing it's not one or two guys that is carrying you. And for the Miami Heat, absolutely great for them as well that, you know, they relied on Tyler Hero. They didn't have Jimmy Butler, as we mentioned.

But it became really a show of just a few players, whereas the Lakers, there was balance from all over the court. And that was, that was big for them. Lakers, look, here's the deal. Fourth quarter, Lakers finally with 1045 remaining in the fourth quarter, they took a lead. 88, 87 on a Gabe Vincent three-pointer. You remember the past, LeBron James, to Gabe Vittler. Vincent hit the corner three from the left side.

And basically there was no looking back. And for the Lakers, you have to be pleased. The way things worked out for them right there, that they were able to put together a run, put together a great second half, was something this team desperately needed. So when you talk about how they finished in scoring, six guys finished in double digits.

That's a great game for any NBA team right there. Six guys finish in double digits. I've done enough as far as covering the Lakers in person all the way back to Del Harris, I think was the first coach that I had in the 90s. And they all do the same thing. Every coach gets that sheet of paper. They look down on it and they go, how many guys scored in double figures? Then they look at how many turnovers did they have and how many missed free throws do they have?

And so it's very simple stuff. It's not something that's, you know, on a stat sheet that's that we don't know about. But they want to know was the team involved. They look at the assist numbers. Did they get out rebounded? Everything that goes to usually winning team basketball. And for the Lakers tonight to have six guys scoring double digits was a great night. Okay.

So Anthony Davis started off as a leading score for a long time, but it was Rui. Rui is the one that actually led the Lakers in scoring tonight. Rui had 23 points, had eight rebounds. Awesome. You know, one steal, one assist. He's not in there for assists, but he's in there to basically be a good facilitator, be a good team player. And tonight he stepped up.

arguably the best game he's ever played in a Laker uniform. 23 points, complete team player. Heaven Rui on the court in 33 minutes was big for the Lakers. Again, two guys on the Lakers scored 22 points tonight. Anthony Davis in 37 minutes, 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two block shots, two steals, only one turnover. Anthony Davis showed tonight again why he's consistent, why he's a Hall of Famer.

That's the kind of game the Lakers need is Anthony Davis to be balanced all the way through on defense and on offense. LeBron James, where it looked like it was going to be just, I guess, a basic LeBron Knight. I don't know if that is exactly called or what that looks like, but you know what I mean. You know, a great LeBron James night is a triple double, scored somewhere in the 30s. But LeBron James tonight, 22 points, nine assists five rebounds and got red hot in the fourth quarter. Lakers outscored the heat, by the way, in the second half by 21 points was amazing.

Okay. Austin Reeves. Austin Reeves had an interesting night because, again, he was in foul trouble early in the third quarter and did not pick up another foul the rest of the game. Finished with four fouls. Had four fouls in the third, finished with four. Austin Reeves, 14 points, 14 assists. This goes to exactly what we've discussed a lot over the last few games. When we say Austin Reeves wants to be the point guard over this team, that's how you do it.

The 14 assists, the only one turnover. That's it. one turnover and 14 assists. Couldn't ask for a better game from Austin Reeves. Again, not always, you know, the glitz and glamour, but that's fine. That's not exactly what winning basketball is. You can only have so many stars on a team. And Austin Reeves was great tonight for the Lakers, 14 points, 14 assists, three rebounds,

three steals, one turnover is probably the best stat on. There's just that one turnover. And Max Christie, when the Lakers needed them most, the other starter, 16 points. Hit a big three, hit a couple big threes for the Lakers. finished three of seven, by the way, for Max Christie. He did six to 12 shooting and solid defense. So Max Christie has shown. I think he's kind of found his way, right?

The Lakers said they wanted Max Christie to be a starter, lost the starting role, spent limited minutes on the bench, and it almost felt like he was lost. Like all of a sudden did this guy that everyone was talking about in camp being a big contributor to become a trade piece. Max Christie has found his way as a starter on this Laker team. Gabe Vincent led the Lakers off the bench, and scoring 14 points in 26 minutes,

six of nine from the field, two of five from behind the arc. So all those are positive numbers. Now you'd like to see a little bit more as far as bench points go, because Jackson Hayes, he added four and Dalton Connect only added two. That's it. That's all they got.

Shake Milton and finally return to a game. You know, they make the trade. And I know shake Milton wasn't the big piece on why they made that trade, but Shaq Milton got six minutes tonight, zero points, missed the two shots that he put up. And the Lakers, you know, in the long run, they're going to need more help.

They're going to need more help to play again. If Jared Vanderbilt comes back, I think it's a different Laker team. I think it's something that we're more excited about as far as this Laker team goes and what they need to do to get better. But for the Lakers overall, a win is a win, and to win tonight, 117, 108 was big.

Okay? We'll take your comments in just a second as well and take a little bit deeper look into that box score. But first, I want to mention the people over at Wayfair, Now look after the holiday hustle, there's nothing like giving your home a little TLC. I always find that decluttering and refreshing my space helps me get back in a routine. It's always great to start the new year off, basically, as I always say, with a fresh clean sheet of paper, whether you're tidying up, cleaning out, or you just want to give your space a new look. Start the year with Wayfair.

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So here you go with the Lakers and they're getting ready to take on the Nets on Friday. Maybe feel good tonight to get that win. It made me feel good to get that win. I love talking to everyone that joins me in the chat, but at the same time, man, I like it better when the Lakers win. And so, as see people in the chat who are excited, see, History Man, 08, 28 says, go Lakers. God bless.

Hey, absolutely. Craig, how you doing tonight? BC, go Lakers. I'm with you. and at the same time, the Lakers, again, they put on a show. This is what the Lakers are supposed to be about. I mean, they did. They put on a show, whether it's an alley-up to LeBron James,

or it's LeBron James having a great fourth quarter. This is what Laker basketball is. This one's at its best. And maybe I take it too seriously, but I'm one of those guys that tomorrow morning when I wake up, first thing I'm going to think about is, did the Lakers win last night? And there's nothing better than when they lose instead of starting the day off with. I cannot believe the Lakers lost another game.

or the Lakers looked like they didn't try or they collapsed. And for the Lakers to play like they did tonight was awesome as well. So it was cool. It's cool that the, B.C., I agree with you on this one here. You just added to this as far as poor roster construction. I'm not a big fan of the roster construction of this team. Kind of curious if I'm alone on this, but B.C., you and I are in the same boat on this. I think the roster construction could be better.

I mean, how many times have you kind of played, you know, GM when the team is put together and you're looking at the roster and they go to camp and you're like, man, it's going to be tough to cut this guy. It's going to be tough to cut this guy and you're going, man, I would cut this guy. I would cut this guy. And it's easier this year because it doesn't feel like the roster is right. And I don't know what they're going to do, but we hear that their hands are pretty much tied as far as bringing in a big name player, someone that could. change what the Lakers are doing because of the trade they already made with the Nets. It always seems like certain NBA teams are able to figure out a way to get that star player when you need them.

And I'm not saying the Lakers need to go out and get Bradley Biel who makes like $53 million a year, you know, or a Kevin Durant. As much as that, you know, is, you know, exciting to think about Kevin Durant, playing with LeBron and Anthony Davis to get a big name player. I think there are players out there again with names that everybody in the league knows, whether you're a casual NBA fan or not. There are guys out there that I think could be available. Everybody is tradable, right?

I mean, you're hearing stories about the Golden State Warriors and do they panic or do they go all in again. You're hearing stories of people saying the Lakers should basically start trading away stars. I think the Lakers are a lot closer than a lot of other teams. They have two big stars. You have Austin Reeves who, for the most part, plays consistent basketball, who is a good point guard

and is a good team player. You have Rui, who is the ultimate team player. I think if you add one or two, maybe one, you only need one, I think the Lakers could be a team that everybody's talking about. Stay away from injury and you keep moving forward. Pass the all-star break and you start fine-tuning things going towards April to get ready for the playoffs. And you're going, okay, this is what we're talking about. Can this team compete with Oklahoma City Thunder?

Can they compete with the Denver Nuggets? Can they compete, right? And that's the way it is. And then you start looking at the east. Can they beat the calves, which sounds crazy to say. can they beat the Boston Celtics? And so for Laker fans, I think we know what championship basketball looks like. I think most of us agree right now this isn't a championship roster.

It seems like you've got to go all in. Whatever you could possibly do, Rob Polinka, you've got to go in. And maybe I'm alone on this, but I keep looking up LeBron and go, man, he's 40. He's not 24. He's 40. The time is now. Why would he sit there in a waste of years where he's still able to play like one of the best players in the league? and Anthony Davis at his age and his height.

And I bring up height because we all know that seven footers, their career comes crashing really fast. So it's very hard for the Laker fans to say, let's pass and go towards the future. Forget that. The future is right here. This is all we have is right now. You're talking about players on this team whose numbers are going to be retired

next to Michael Cooper's as soon as they retire. And they're going to be in the Hall of Fame. It is an insult to guys like Anthony Davis and LeBron James, not to do everything you can to make this roster better for them and for us as fans, right? We want to see it, see it a little bit better. So again, tonight, the good news is Lakers win 117, 108. Overall, man, it was a great night as a team. Okay, so when you look at how do they finish shooting, as I criticize the team in the first half,

they finished 52% from the field, 38% from three-point range. We'll take that free throw shooting. Still a little bit lower than I would like. I think championship teams do better than 71%, especially at home. So only free throw shooting was that. Turnover battle was great for the Lakers tonight. Lakers only had six turnovers. We'll take that.

Lakers had four block shots. Lakers had 12 steals. Lakers had 33 assists compared to only 25 from the Miami Heat. All right. You talk about turnovers. And turnovers can hurt you. As I said, the Lakers only had six. The Miami Heat had 19.

Not very good. Now this is Miami Heat that, again, and shorthanded when you're talking about playing without Jimmy Butler, who's one of the best players in the league, they have a complete train wreck over there. The Miami Heat, you know, coming into this game at 2018, you know, not a great team, a team that definitely they should beat. That's what was frustrating that the effort wasn't great in Miami the first time, but it was definitely a team that the Lakers should beat. We have felt this a lot for the Lakers of what has taken so long for this Laker team to put it together and beat the teams on your schedule that you're supposed to take care of. That's what has become frustrating, you know, time after time.

Tyler Heroes, we mentioned the hot start. We'll tell you how we finished. Tyler Hero played 38 minutes tonight. Finished with 34 points, four rebounds, three assists. The shooting got a little bit worse. So it still wasn't bad, but it got a little bit worse. I mean, when you're perfect, there's only one way to go and that's down. Finish 12 of 18 shooting.

Incredible night, especially when the Lakers know he's the big weapon. He made seven three-pointers. Many killed the Lakers on three-pointers in Miami. Again, seven tonight. and three from three for the line. So just 21 points from behind the arc is incredible. I mean, how nice would it be to have a guy like that on this Laker roster? For Miami, they finished with four guys in double digits, but barely in double digits.

I mean, and Tyler Hero had 34. Then he had 12. He had 11, and he had 12 again, you know, off the bench. So not a great night for Miami. Miami only played nine guys. Lakers, by the way, they didn't play a bunch of guys. as well. When you look at Jackson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, Shake Milton, Dalton Connect, they're the only ones that got minutes off the bench. And for Delta Connect update for you, Delta Connect, again, it is frustrating. You guys see the same stats I see last 19 games.

Delta Connect is just a terrible shooter. And so it's frustrating. Usually, as you hear in the NBA, when rookies start to hit the wall, it's January. Well, he hit the wall, you know, 19 games ago. And Dalton Connect, again, with 14 minutes, missed all four of a shot. shots. All four were three-point shots, free throws. He got two of them. But it's frustrating. The Dalta Connect has not become the player. I think all of us were hoping he was going to be. Again, if you watch college of basketball and you're watching the SEC and you see how talented the SEC is as a league, Dalta Connect was player the year last year in the SEC. So you're talking the best conference in college of basketball, and he was the best player in the entire conference to now struggle in the NBA is frustrating. It has to be frustrating for him as well.

Probably the first time in his life as a basketball player. He has ever struggled. But right now it has become very frustrating for him, very frustrating for Laker fans. So what does it mean for the Lakers as far as the standings and the win and where do they go in the playoff picture? You guys have heard the whole thing for me a million times. I always say I want to get to the four seed for the Lakers.

I think they're in the best position to do that right now. Number one seed, no shock. It's the Oklahoma City Thunder. I won three straight games again. They've won nine of their last 10. Houston Rockets have won five straight games. They're number two seed, Memphis Grizzlies. They won tonight.

Again, if you have not seen the John Morant, Dunkin over Wimby, you've got to see that highlight. It's worth looking up. You can go to your phones right now and check that one out. And the Denver Nuggets are the four seed. Denver's playing well. They've won seven of their last 10. But look at that.

Coming in at the five seed right now. We're at five. It's the Lakers. Lakers 2117 on the season. Not a bad night for the Lakers, again, because they move up to the five seed. That was big for them. So Clippers also with the same record, Clippers at 2117, we'll see the Clippers real soon. Dallas Mavericks are the summon seed.

Dallas has struggled against every team in the league but the Lakers. They've now lost three straight games since playing the Lakers. They're only won two of their last 10. Minnesota, Minnesota is a 500 team, five and five in their last 10. They're the eighth seed. Sacramento is the ninth seed and the Golden. State Warriors are the 10th seat. So all the crazy talk with the Golden State Warriors,

warriors are still hanging on. Phoenix Suns are behind them, not in it, San Antonio, not in it. Portland, Utah, New Orleans. None of those teams are in the playoffs if the season ended today. And in the East, I'll always give you the top three. Cleveland, again, is one nine of their

last 10. They're 34 and 5. Celtics, 28 and 12 on the season. They're this two seed, but six and a half games out. And the New York next to the third seed, they're eight and a half games out. So how many teams in the east do you think have a legitimate chance to win an NBA championship? I still not a huge fan of the Knicks. I know there are a lot of New York people in California. If you're watching this Laker postcast, not a Nix fan. And maybe Milwaukee because, of course,

you have two huge stars on that team and you never know what can happen in the postseason and their postseason ready. So here's the deal. Lakers are back in action on Friday. They're at home again. They're taking on the New Jersey Nets. It's going to be a 730 tip-off. Again, if you want to follow Laker Basketball throughout on the Lockdown Sports Network, you can follow Brian and Andy. They do a great job. They talk Laker Basketball every single day.

I'm here with you for all the post-game shows talking Laker Basketball. And again, you can catch every one of these shows anywhere you get your podcasts, and, of course, including YouTube as well. But Laker Basketball is always a big topic in Los Angeles Sports. Let's all keep our fingers crossed. Let's hope that Roki picks the Dodgers. We hear that's coming to the next couple days. And then hopefully we're talking about another Laker win on Friday when they host the Nets.

Again, final score tonight. Lakers win 117, 108. Big win for the Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers, the fans, we needed it tonight. I'll see everybody on Friday. Take care.