Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers - LAKERS POSTCAST Luka and Austin Down Denver 120-108

Starting point is 00:00:06 You are a Locked-on Lakers podcast. Part of Locked-on Sports Los Angeles on the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Los Angeles Lakers, they take on the Denver Nuggets and they win their third straight game. Lakers playing great basketball when just a week ago at this time. We were very concerned about this Laker team. No LeBron. Luke almost gets a triple double and Austin Reeves gets better. Every game will explain it all when we talk about it on the Lockdown Lakers Postcast.

Starting point is 00:00:39 I'm Dave Palais. Thank you so much for joining me tonight after this big Laker win. Again, the Lakers back in action, though, tomorrow against the Milwaukee Bucks. So very exciting to see that the Lakers have come home and the Lakers look like a different team. Also, the Lakers looking pretty good playing without LeBron. And that's always something different to learn how to play without a superstar. The Lakers, I think overall, this will make them stronger as they make a run towards the end of the regular season, plus going into the postseason, as we say all the time, figuring out.

Starting point is 00:01:09 out that identity. LeBron is expected back soon. And then when LeBron comes back, they have to figure out, well, you have a superstar in LeBron, you have a superstar in Luca. And of course, Austin Reeves continues to get better every single game. Again, as we spoke about in the last show, maybe the most underrated player in all of basketball right now. So how did it go for the Lakers and how do they get to where we are? When if you're just tuning in right now, you didn't see a lot of the game, I think it'd be shocked how well the Lakers played and kind of just trying to hold on since the first quarter. Again, final score tonight, 120, 108. And for the Lakers, they're starting five, the starting five that seems to be to work right now with LeBron out. It's Jackson Hayes,

Starting point is 00:01:48 Dorian Finney Smith, Austin Reeves, Jordan Goodwin, and Luca. Without the Lakers, of course, they didn't have LeBron. They didn't have Rui. And the Lakers continued to be fine. For the Nuggets, though, they had their two best players, not in the lineup today. So the Nuggets who have owned the Lakers over the last few years. The Lakers, excuse me, the Nuggets were planted out the Joker and also planted out Jamal Murray. So the Lakers, they had a big advantage there. We'd make that trade every single day of the week.

Starting point is 00:02:16 If you see LeBron's not going to play, but the Joker and Jamal Murray also not playing, that's a big benefit for the Lakers because we still have Luca and Austin Reeves and the other guys that are shooting so well. So if you miss the beginning of the game in the first quarter, the Lakers, they jumped out to a quick 14-2 lead. Luca made his first four shots, including a three-pointer, forced them in the Nuggets to call the timeout. 5.15 remaining in the first.

Starting point is 00:02:38 Lakers held an 11-point lead on Gabe Vincent's three-pointer, Gabe coming off the bench. Again, fantastic. And we'll talk about the bench play as well later on in the show. But 430 remaining in Lakers take a 33-16 lead on a Luca 3 to give him 20 points with just seven and a half minutes into the game. So, Luca, you knew it was going to be a big night. 20 points in the first seven and a half minutes.

Starting point is 00:03:02 And for the Lakers, they're just basically, can they continue to to keep this up because we know it's the NBA. Teams come back. Lakers were led in the quarter by Lucas 21. Nuggets were led by Aaron Gordon's 8. Lakers shot 70% from the field in the first quarter, 64% from three point range. He made 9 of 14 and free throws was the only downfall where they missed three of them. Nugget shot 40%, four of 10 from three point range and five of six from the free throw lines. The Lakers playing great basketball. Now can the Lakers continue to hold on? We say all the time. We'd love to see the Lakers score at least 30 points in a quarter where they scored 46 in the first. They held the Nuggets to 29. Normally, we'd be very upset that another team

Starting point is 00:03:43 got 29 and a quarter on us. That being said in the second quarter, the Nuggets came out, played a little bit better. They actually outscored the Lakers in the second quarter by 3, 30 to 27. The Lakers, though, with 1035 remaining, they started the quarter hot, and then it started to fizzle a little bit. They extend their lead to 53, 29 with 10, 3,000. 35 remaining in the first half. Nuggets then going a 12-0 run, and they cut the Laker 28-point lead down to 16 and are a little bit nervous to go, okay, what is going on? J.J. Reddick, you've got to find a combination, something that works because the Lakers can't score. Lakers, again, get their lead cut down to 14 at the half on a monster dunk, and then

Starting point is 00:04:24 the Lakers finish the half going almost five minutes without scoring. So very frustrating. And if you saw J.J. Redick interviewed as he was going into the half, not happy with this team. too much standing around, especially after missed shots, that the Lakers stopped playing defense. And if you listen to J.J. Reddick, he wants to see this team being solid all the way around. So the Lakers not playing great basketball in the second quarter, not the way that J.J. Reddick wanted to see this team go into the half. And so he was a little bit frustrated. And you can understand why. And so are we, right? We're all frustrated. We'll get to your comments as well throughout the show. So if you have a comment, please go ahead and leave it.

Starting point is 00:05:01 we will get to all the comments as well. But first of all, before we get into the half and go through the rest of the game and the star of the game and so many things to talk about, I want to mention the people over at Hungry Route. So look, when it comes to grocery shopping and meal planning, I've had this ongoing problem. I just don't have time between work, life, try and eat healthier. I was constantly feeling stressed out. I'd go to the grocery store, buy things I didn't even need, then I ended up with no time to

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Starting point is 00:06:57 We want to see it go for the rest of the week as they have games against the bucks and the bulls through Saturday. Lakers were led at the half by Lucas 25. Dalton Connect, big plus, 10 points off the bench. Happy with that. Nuggets led by Aaron Gordon 16. That's fine. Lakers for the half shoot 61%. 57% from three point range.

Starting point is 00:07:16 That's going to play all the time. They made 12 to 21 three-pointers really good. They missed five free throws. That frustrates me because at some point we know the Lakers is going to be in a tight game at the end and we're going to have to nail these free throws. the fact that the Lakers missed, free throws a night in and night eight, nine in and night out drive me crazy. Nugget shot 50%, 33% from three point range. Lakers played great basketball.

Starting point is 00:07:38 You couldn't be much happier than I was except for the fact when they went cold. And when they went cold, it wasn't as big of a deal for me as it was, obviously, for JJ Redick. I thought the Lakers kind of had this game in hand. The shots are going to continue to fall. And some people will say, well, you know, if you go cold, there's no guarantee you're going to get that shot back. The Lakers have a lot of good shoe. And when's the last time we've ever said this about a Laker team, right? For years, if you're a Laker fan, even when the Lakers are really good,

Starting point is 00:08:04 they didn't have those designated three-point shooters. Well, this year, the Lakers have a lot of three-point shooters. The Lakers have a lot of guys that can nail that three-pointer when you need it. And they're about five guys that when you know they're getting their shot, you feel like it's going in. So I'm comfortable with this team. I like what I see. I keep thinking back to what J.J. Reddick said all the way back in October.

Starting point is 00:08:24 You know, I'd like to see this team shoot 53-pointers, and it was kind of like tongue-in-cheek laughing because JJ Reddick was a three-point shooter and he was a specialist at it. Well, this Laker team has a lot of good shooters all of a sudden, a lot of good defenders and a lot of good shooters. Points scored off turnovers for the Lakers. They did a great job in the first half, 23 to 16 over the Nuggets, points in the paint. Nuggets outscored them 32-24. But it didn't matter because the Lakers shot so well from three-point range that the Lakers,

Starting point is 00:08:51 obviously, three is worth more than two. Lakers did well. So right now, when the Lakers lead at the half, the Lakers are now 37 and 5, pretty impressive. Okay. So with this Laker team and the way things are going, third quarter, Lakers can they keep it up, you know? So Lakers, here's the deal. Lakers did great. Lakers did a great job coming out in the second half.

Starting point is 00:09:13 Obviously, what happened with J.J. Reddick and the message he had with this team, he wasn't happy with what he saw. So we'll talk about what was the difference if this team in the second half. second half compared to when they let other teams back in the game right here. Time to reveal where the game was won or lost. It's the turning point. All right. For me, in the third quarter, I felt like the Lakers put this game away. For the Lakers, the turning point was the Lakers' lead was no longer in jeopardy because they started the third quarter going on a 9-0 scoring run.

Starting point is 00:09:45 The Lakers go up by 20 on Austin and Reeves pass for a layup to Dore and Finney Smith. Nuggets didn't score for the last five minutes of the quarter. And the Lakers dominated. Lakers dominated that quarter outscoring the Nuggets 3218. And look, Gabe Vincent was great in this quarter. At the same time, the Lakers were fantastic. They went up by 28 on Jared Vanderbilt's layup and through three quarters. Luca led the team with 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Starting point is 00:10:12 So here's the deal when you say, well, Luca's doing his thing and he's getting better all the time. And so absolutely, Luca is getting better all the time. So we feel like if we haven't seen the best version of Luke and I don't know about you, but I watched a lot of Luca when he was in Dallas, he's outstanding right now in this Laker uniform and he's leading this team. And I think obviously he has a lot to prove. He was surprised by the trade. But he says we haven't seen the best of him.

Starting point is 00:10:36 I can't tell how impressed I am. I'm sure you're impressed as well with Luca. Not only the passing, the ability to score under the basket and again, take control whenever the Lakers need someone to go to to change the momentum. Luca is always there. And so I can't imagine what it's going to look like when LeBron is back. It is one of those things that I'm extremely excited about. Here's what I noticed that I think helps the Lakers maybe the most for the future having them here.

Starting point is 00:11:01 This is what you'll be talking about. Okay, so here's the deal. Austin Reeves, everybody's talking the last few days. If you're not a Laker fan, you don't follow the Lakers on a regular basis, that Austin Reeves is underrated. We've talked about it on the show. We know Austin Reeves what he can do. We've seen Austin Reeves carry this team at times when Luca wasn't available. LeBron's not available.

Starting point is 00:11:24 If you watch Luca always gets off to a really hot start in the first quarter, Austin Reeves kind of sits back. Austin Reeves plays the game where it comes to him, and that's the kind of role he's going to have to do as long as he shares the court with guys like LeBron James and Luca. The thing I've noticed about Austin Reeves game, and you tell me if I'm wrong on this, I think Austin Reeves is learning a ton from Luca.

Starting point is 00:11:45 And what I mean by that, not only had a pass, had to create, but the slowdown speed up moments that Luca is able to do amaze me. And anyone who's ever played basketball, you know, you see an opening, you try and split the defense, you drive to the basket as hard as you can. Maybe you dish off, maybe you take the ball to the hoop. If you look at Austin's game, it has gotten better since Luca's been on the court, not only because obviously you get more open shots with Luca, that comes with everyone on the team, but Austin Reeves looks more and more like Luca the way he plays the game.

Starting point is 00:12:15 Slow down, speed up, slow down, speed up. and let's basically the openings come to him, and it's not always about scoring. He loves to assist. He talked about it before Luke was even here, about being a point guard and having huge assist numbers with low turnovers, that he was all in. And so it's pretty exciting to see what Austin Reeves is doing and exciting that he's only going to get better. Austin Reeves is only going to get better for this team.

Starting point is 00:12:42 And when LeBron retires one day and it's Luke and it's Austin Reeves and whoever else is on this team. I think Austin Reeves will be a complete player and a guy that you'll see representing the West and the All-Star game for years to come. He's that good and people love watching play, love his effort, love the fact that he's always on the floor, he's always trying to take charges, he's doing everything he needs to do. As we know, the Lakers went on to win. Again, 1208. So the Lakers right now are 39 and 2, we're leading after the third quarter. And what can you say? The Lakers were absolutely outstanding tonight. And it was a lot of fun to watch. And so the question is, who is your locked on player of the game?

Starting point is 00:13:22 This is the locked on player of the game. Player of the game, I think without a doubt tonight, it has to go to Luca. Luca in 32 minutes had 31 points, 10 and 21 shooting from the field, four of nine from three point range. He was seven to ten from the free throw line, but he had nine rebounds. He had seven assists. He had two steals, turnovers. The six are really high. We'd don't like that. But overall, Luca carried this team right from the beginning. I mean, the old saying, as they say in football, you got to punch him in the mouth. Luca punched Denver basically in the mouth. He did it all by himself. He made his first four shots, including a three-pointer. Luca, without a doubt, was the player of the game. Austin Reeves finishes with 22 points in 36 minutes, shot 50% from the field, 8 to 16.

Starting point is 00:14:07 Only made 2 of 7, 3-pointers, but Austin Reeves, big night, 22 points, eight assists for him, and bench play for the Lakers, which is something we've been concerned about. The Lakers tonight had three players that scored in double digits. You had Dalton Connect. He had 12. You had Gabe Vincent. He had 12. He had Jared Vanderbilt. He had 10.

Starting point is 00:14:27 It was a big night and a balanced night for this Laker team. So extremely exciting to see the direction. This Laker team is going. And for me, I can't wait for LeBron to get back because it's really the missing piece to see what we will possibly look like come postseason. I'll get to your comments in just a second, but got to mention the people over at.

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Starting point is 00:15:27 after you play your first $5 lineup. The code is locked on NBA for $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup. Don't forget prize picks, run your game. So here we go. This Laker team right now, I'm excited. I'm curious if you're excited. I was really disappointed by that road trip or they lost four. Now they've won three straight.

Starting point is 00:15:50 They can win their fourth straight game of the week tomorrow when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks. By the way, I'll get to your comments right now. And here's the deal. Craig, you're there every day with me. You've been with me the entire season. Okay. So Craig and BC, I see you guys all the time on here.

Starting point is 00:16:06 So I got to tell you, I'm a little disappointed in both of you guys because you guys are with me on Christmas Day. You're with me on New Year's Eve. You've been with me through the season when I was, frustrated and the Lakers weren't playing well and Palinka wasn't making moves and I didn't understand JJ Reddick's timeouts. You guys have been with me every single show. I completely messed up the last show when I said tomorrow night, meaning yesterday they're facing the bucks. I messed up the schedule. I was waiting for you guys to correct me in the chat. You guys didn't

Starting point is 00:16:33 correct me. Literally I was sitting in this exact same spot going, when is this game starting and realize there was no game last night? Completely thrown off. And so, guys, I thought you're going to pick me up here. Anyway, I thought we did this as a team together. I look forward to seeing you guys in the chat every single night, but I don't know what happened. I was here for a game. There was no game. I was ready to go. Not only were they not facing the bucks last night, they didn't face the bucks next. They faced the nuggets tonight and then bucks tomorrow. I was off by two days. Nobody corrected me. Okay. Come on. Craig, B.C., expect more from you. Sometimes I need a little bit of help. Here we go. Craig, you say Lucas set the tone. He did set the tone. Hot first court and he does it all

Starting point is 00:17:13 all the time. Reeves another good game and that's what we want. Lakers ahead of Denver now. Look, here's the deal. I don't know what you guys think, but I'm curious to know what you, how you feel about the Lakers and who their first opponent could be in the first round of the postseason. Does it make a difference to you because so many people are looking at it that if the Lakers are the three seed and the Golden Sout Warriors are the sixth seed, which it sets up right now, are you okay with the face and Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler in the first round? Would you rather see them face someone else. The Lakers right now to give you an idea where the standings are, Oklahoma City is running away with it. So the number two seeds are the Rockets, they're 12 and a half games out.

Starting point is 00:17:53 Lakers are 13 and a half. Nuggets are behind them as the four seed. Memphis is the five seed and Golden State is the sixth seed. So the Lakers have a chance of passing the Rockets. I've got a big game with the Rockets coming up. Rockets are playing great basketball right now. They've won eight straight games, they're eight and two in their last 10. They're playing great. Nuggets obviously dealing with injury, but the Nuggets were able to beat the Warriors just the other night. You heard Steph Curry and Steve Kerr saying Steph's tired. Steph needs to rest. So would you like to see the Lakers face a team in the first round like the Warriors

Starting point is 00:18:25 or possible if they move up past the Rockets, they could face the clippers in the first round? Do you have a preference on who the Lakers would possibly face in the first round? Curious about that as well. Look, you obviously got to go through Oklahoma City, right? That's the team right now that I think everyone says it's a very good team, possibly the best team in the West. However they match up against the Thunder. Thunder doesn't have a lot of playoff experience.

Starting point is 00:18:47 But at the same time, do you have a preference as a Laker fan? Agent Z says, I do not want to face the Warriors in the first round. I do want to see them at some point, and I think the NBA wants to see them face the Warriors. I just don't want to see it in the first round. And I think the Lakers play really well against Warriors, but we haven't really faced the Warriors, the New Look Warriors, right? We haven't seen the Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry, warriors. At the same time, they haven't seen the LeBron Luka Lakers on.

Starting point is 00:19:12 a regular basis, do what that looks like as well. Agency else, is any concern with LeBron coming back? I think LeBron is to the point in his career and he wouldn't approve the Luca trade if he didn't believe it was a great fit. If LeBron needs to take whatever role that is, I think he takes that role. He's still going to get his 20-something points. He's still going to get his rebounds. He's going to get his assist.

Starting point is 00:19:33 He's going to make the team better. But I want to see him in the lineup with these guys. I just want to see him in the lineup with these guys to make sure that what we think is going to happen is actually possible happening. And I want to see as well as these guys are playing right now without LeBron, what it looks like with LeBron. So, B.C., Craig, I see you guys

Starting point is 00:19:52 here. Go Lakers. Lakers ahead of Denver now. All that stuff, well on the same page. Okay, look, we're back tomorrow night. I promise. I don't see anyone here correcting me on the schedule. We're back tomorrow night. Lakers will take on the Milwaukee Bucks. I want to talk about hopefully the fourth straight win.

Starting point is 00:20:08 Milwaukee embarrassed the Lakers when they were in Milwaukee. It's time for the Lakers to do the same thing back in Los Angeles, but we'll be back in 24 hours. Lakers hosting the Bucks. Again, final score tonight. Lakers 1-20, Denver Nuggets 108, and Lakers win their third straight game. It's a good night in L.A. L.A. Dodgers, by the way, 2-0 in Japan. Man, what a time to be an L.A. sports fan. What a time because things feel pretty good. Play the music, Randy Newman. We'll see you tomorrow night.

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers - LAKERS POSTCAST Luka and Austin Down Denver 120-108

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