Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers - Luka Dončić (40 Points), LeBron (30) Lift Lakers to Critical 124-116 Win Over Houston

Starting point is 00:00:00 Luca dominates again, and the Lakers get arguably their most critical win of the season. Things are looking good. That's next. You are Locked on Lakers. Your daily Los Angeles Lakers podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Thanks to everybody for tuning in to Locked on Lakers. I'm Brian Kaminetsky with Andy Kamenetsky. So much to get into in this.

Starting point is 00:00:36 episode today do you need to let people know first that today's episode is brought to you by five hour energy have your cake and drink it to birthday cake flavor is back no fork needed vanilla e cakey flavor caffeinated kick and no sugar it's party time order now at five hour energy dot com or at amazon one 24 116 the lakers andy they finish off the sweep of this weird two game series in Houston. I actually love it. I actually, I wish there were, I wish there were more setups like this where NBA teams would play each other in consecutive games. That's a little spice. It provides more information in terms of analyzing where your team stands, matchup, stuff like that. I would love to see more of it. It also could help to some degree with travel issues. Yeah. So a great two-game

Starting point is 00:01:30 stretch here for the Lakers who continue to play excellent basketball, breakdown, everything, including not just to turn back the clock night for LeBron, but we've been talking a lot, Andy, about the way that the Lakers, okay, not that far. The Lakers have been using LeBron and helping him thrive in the new, sort of this new way of executing the offense. Wednesday's game was that on steroids, to say the least. So we'll talk about him.

Starting point is 00:02:01 We'll talk about DeAndre. Aiton will talk about a Lakers defense that continues to come up, especially late in games. But we are going to start Andy with Luca Donchich, who was, dare I say, toying with the Houston Rockets, especially in the fourth quarter of this game. Luca finishes with 40 points on 12 of 25 shooting,

Starting point is 00:02:23 7 of 17 from 3 point range, nine rebounds, 10 assists. I think the only mean thing you could say about the guy is he missed too many free throws, I guess. He had five turnovers. That's too many. A couple of them were just bad decisions. But my word, down the stretch of this game,

Starting point is 00:02:45 Luka, was just making killer backbreaking play after killer backbreaking play against Houston, just demoralizing every bit of spirit that they would possibly have to think that they could keep, exchanging blows with the Lakers. Like this was a game, the Lakers were up 11 at the half. They were pretty bad in the third quarter.

Starting point is 00:03:11 I mean, they were just sloppy on both sides of the ball. They turned the ball over, I believe, seven times in the third quarter alone, which Houston turned into 13 points off those turnovers. I thought the shot selection. Not to interrupt you, we're just so people for context, the Lakers only had 13 turnovers in the game. Yeah. Yeah. I thought they gave up 26 points off turnovers. Half came in that quarter. I thought the shot selection by more or less everybody devolved. And it put them often on their heels defensively and in bad positions. But they, as we've seen a lot during this now seven game winning streak that the Lakers are on right now. And, you know, they are playing.

Starting point is 00:04:01 some of the best basketball in the league, one of the commonalities, and I think this matters a lot, particularly when you start thinking about the playoffs, they keep maintaining their composure. Like even when they start making mistakes, even when things start breaking down, they're not losing their heads.

Starting point is 00:04:22 And I think, you know, I brought this up in the last game against Houston where, I mean, those guys just went on tilt. But I thought the rocket spent, a lot of the first half and then certainly the last few minutes of that game, losing some of their cool, the last minute or so, I don't know what their strategy was with fouling,

Starting point is 00:04:44 but I would check out the film again because they wasted a lot of time. I think that you're better off actually saying that there was no strategy. Yeah. It's- The Lakers were the more composed team. They were, absolutely. They were more composed. And the thing about it too is like, you know, the same thing happened on Monday.

Starting point is 00:05:03 Like, you know, you have a lead, you give up a lead and all that kind of stuff. But like these are good teams. The Lakers are playing. Like you cannot, you're just, you're almost never going to lead wire to wire against really good teams. And it's the value of part of the part of the value of having the big three now playing well. So you're winning those minutes more often than losing them and often winning them. and often winning them big, is that you know, you're getting off to good starts. You're building up early leads, you know, second half leads, half time leads, whatever.

Starting point is 00:05:41 Inevitably, good opposition is going to go on a 15 to 2 run, a 14 to 6 run, you know, whatever it might be. But the thing about it is if you're up by 12, if you're up by 8, if you're up by whatever, and you give up a 10-point run, you're still in the game. You might be losing, but you're still in the game. game. So like the Lakers, yeah, they fell down by, I think as much as five, but they on Wednesday, I think, I'd have to look at it. But like, they never lost touch with Houston, in part because they're now winning these early minutes. They did it. We'll get deeper into LeBron as the show goes on. But, you know, particularly early in the game, they were really

Starting point is 00:06:24 aggressive defensively. They forced a lot of bad shots and turnovers. They got. got out in the open floor, LeBron, who hit a couple early threes, then was basically, it was just a dunk fest for LeBron for the rest of the game. You know, Luca, strong start for the look like everything, they just, they had this hop and rhythm. And you could tell the Lakers knew like, not only is this an important game for us, it's an important game that we know we can win. Yeah, they recognize the importance of it, you know, the tiebreaker now in hand.

Starting point is 00:06:56 The Lakers now have the tiebreaker for, every opponent. Everyone. Three through six. They've got it now over the rockets. They've got it over the Nuggets. They've got it over the Timberwolves. They don't have it over the Suns,

Starting point is 00:07:08 but if they win these games, it doesn't matter. And they're not going to catch San Antonio at two in all likelihood, not unless San Antonio stops winning. They basically have to win out and San Antonio would have to lose out. The Lakers have gone nine and one in their last 10 games. this is how good the top of the conference is the Lakers have gone 9 and 1 in their last 10 games they've gained all of one game

Starting point is 00:07:38 on San Antonio and actually lost ground to Oklahoma City I mean have won all 10 of those games but like you look at the standings now Andy and the Lakers have a one and a half game lead over Minnesota which is essentially two and a half games they have a two and a half game lead over Houston, which is essentially three and a half, and two and a half over Denver, which again, is essentially three and a half. So they've got a little bit of padding, which is going to be

Starting point is 00:08:06 important for games like Thursday in Miami where the Lakers are going to land at like five in the morning and you might want to sit some folks. Well, I was going to say, like, I think they recognized A, the importance of this game because of the tiebreaker implications, the direct seating in the west, all of that stuff. But they may have also recognized, man, we are going to land in Miami, like basically when the sun is coming up. Second end of a back-to-back. Clubs will still be open. That's true. They can just go straight to, what is it, 305 or that one? It's like with jet lag. You're supposed to stay up, right? L-I-V, which now in golf is taking on a totally different name. but it was club live that it was notorious.

Starting point is 00:08:52 That's where every athlete, every NBA player used all the beautiful people used to go to in South Bay. I guess they could just stroll straight over. But they may recognize that game is going to be rough. Miami is playing better of late. And also they really need this game too. This is going to be a tall order. Let's make sure we bank this one that matters most. and my again, holy hell, did Luca down the stretch make sure we are not effing losing this game, man.

Starting point is 00:09:26 He went into God mode where like, I mean, every, the plays that are going to be, you know, look, he was he was on at all game. The court side seats, the courtside fans in Houston, they know what Lucas breath smells like because he was talking so much. It was incredible theater. It was fantastic. But like, you know, the sequence, you know, the stuff that'll get everybody's, we'll see it. But like those last three and a half minutes,

Starting point is 00:09:54 he splits a double going behind the back, throws an oop to Rui. He splits another double, throws a another oop to LeBron. He hits a three. It says, I want to talk after the break just about why, like what about Luca sets him apart? before we'll get into the LeBron, we'll get in eight,

Starting point is 00:10:17 and we'll get in all this stuff. Yeah, D.A. had a really good game. You did. And I kind of, I was excited because he had a good game in a way that reflected some of the stuff that I was talking about going into it. It was very rarely right. I like it.

Starting point is 00:10:30 And actually, some of the stuff I thought as well, and we were both kind of right for different reasons. This bump. So blow it up. Snail. So I, but like, I love. nail. So let's get to Luca next because it's just spectacular. Locked on Lakers is brought to you by Wayfair. Spring is the perfect time to refresh your

Starting point is 00:11:03 space and make your home better for you, whether it's updating a room, adding some outdoor furniture, or finally organizing that cluttered corner. It's a great chance to bring a fresh look into your home, and that's where Wayfair comes in from furniture and decor to organize solutions, outdoor essentials. Wayfair makes it easy to find pieces that match your style and your budget. And what I love about shopping on Wayfair is process is simple. You can filter by style, size, price, options like easy assembly or installation, makes the whole experience smooth from order to set up, whether it's a new desk for a new home or some storage solutions, outdoor pieces for spring. It's easy to find something that fits both your style and your daily routine.

Starting point is 00:11:46 find furniture decor and essentials that fit your unique style and budget. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R-com. Wayfair, every style, every home. Jump back into things here in a second. I do want to let people know about the Everydayer Club. If you join it now with the code March, you get your first month free.

Starting point is 00:12:13 And if you sign up before the tournament tips off, which is early Thursday. So you've got to get this done quickly. you can early west coast time Thursday you can compete against me and Andy in our men's and women's bracket pools on discord of course discord chats are a big feature of the everydayer club talking to us talking to each other talking to other locked on hosts the winner if you are a winner you get a locked a hundred dollar locked on merch gift card and the rest of us can just you know chat about how our brackets suck and got blown up you also get ad free versions of the show again all free for the month with the code March, five bucks a month, 50 bucks a year, broadly speaking.

Starting point is 00:12:54 If it's not for you, do nothing. We will love you just the same. I, what I find amazing about Luca Andy is just, like the Lakers made like Katie's life hard. Like they got him sped up a little bit.

Starting point is 00:13:13 They forced him into some uncomfortable moments. This is Kevin Freakin Durant, who was significant. better in this game than he was on Monday, no question. But better in the second half. First half, not great, but better overall. Overall played better, made more shots, got a little, you know, eventually it's going to come around for him.

Starting point is 00:13:33 But they're just, you know, like if, right now, if you put bodies in front of LeBron, it's difficult from like put the ball on floor and get by people, whatever might be, there's just nothing you can do as a defense. You throw a blitz at Luca. He's going to find the open guy calmly, almost, you know, daring you to come out and make your defense imbalance like that. Or he's going to go behind his back and split the double. And all these like you just can't speed him up.

Starting point is 00:14:04 There was a sequence in the first quarter, one of many, where Durant, the Lakers were doubling him. And this one in particular, Smart was the initial defender on KD. and Luca just started approaching him for the double. And you could see that spooked Duran. Like that actually got him a bit on tilt because this was his nightmare on Monday in Houston and there were already a few sequences like this. That distraction allowed Marcus Smart to get a strip steel,

Starting point is 00:14:38 which set up a three for Luca. But then in the second quarter, Luca was doubled high on a sequence and just very calmly through this past basically behind him to D'Andre Aiton, who ends up getting an open lane to the rim. And, like, obviously, it is not fair to expect, like, Luca Donchich-esque-level playmaking from Kevin Durant. Like, that's not the player that he is. But the difference in these teams' respective ability or inability to handle this sort of stuff, because you go beyond. Luca, like, LeBron knows how to do this stuff.

Starting point is 00:15:19 So you've got two guys who really at a high level just know how to read doubles. They know how to time this. They know how to sense, okay, the second guy's coming over now. I already know where I'm going to be throwing if this defender comes. Like, to have two guys who can read the floor that well, like I realize now we're talking more about LeBron having a lower usage role. So more of this is going to happen with Luca. But make no mistake, LeBron can do it too. And that's just some major advantage.

Starting point is 00:15:52 And then I also think, too, you're forgetting AR is extremely slippery in those situations. And he changes speeds. Well, his handle is, I think, still surprises people. And he had eight assists. He was not a big scoring night for Reeves, in part because the Lakers' kept getting LeBron loose and that was working really well. But AR had eight assists against one turnover. Again, strong defensively, made five of his six free throws.

Starting point is 00:16:22 Like, he was a good game. Austin played well. He just didn't, you know, score a ton. I thought at least. But like, that's a third guy. You know, you have the ball in the hands of two players who are very, you know, crafty in obviously Luca and then Austin. And then, you know, your third one.

Starting point is 00:16:41 and now you have to watch them. We might as well, let's get into this LeBron conversation. Like, we have talked about this week, how the Lakers have changed this pecking order, so to speak, so that most of the time the ball is going to be in the hands of Luca, and if not Luca, AR. LeBron is at the finishing end of a lot of these things. He's cutting.

Starting point is 00:17:05 He's, you know, running the floor. He's filling the lanes and all this stuff. And it seems counterintuitive to people if you're kind of just sort of, thinking about it, oh, he's 41. The easiest thing for LeBron to do is run. Like, he can do that all day, up and down the floor with nobody, nobody's getting in front of that. Man, one of the dunks that he had in transition,

Starting point is 00:17:27 you could see the thought bubble of Reed Shepard in real time going from, I'm going to challenge LeBron to F that. No, I am not. Not happening. Not knowing that. And so, you know, the Lakers who, the hit ahead passes, on on on on Wednesday particularly you know near the end of the second quarter the Lakers look like they might be giving up the lead like three or four plays

Starting point is 00:17:50 in a row where they basically like the Rockets just like refused to accept what the Lakers were doing but it was whether it was Luca flinging the ball up or or Reeves I think had one and LeBron had one like they they're very aggressive with that but they turn defense into offense with LeBron finishing they used LeBron at the end of an alley you if you go. go look at his shot chart in this game. He finished 13 to 14 for 30 points. I think three of them,

Starting point is 00:18:18 three of those field goal attempts were outside like a foot. Everything else was at the rim. Everything else was dunks. He hit his first two threes. He had a little baby jumper that was off of penetration against a moving defense. And everything else was a dunk. Like, yeah.

Starting point is 00:18:37 I mean, at the rate things are progressing, LeBron's going to take JJ aside for a meeting, be like, any chance you can reduce me down to fourth or fifth in usage? Like, I think Marcus needs the ball more. Like, Marcus really, because, like, LeBron, this is easier on him from a pure exertion level. Like, it just is. You are correct. If LeBron is largely being asked to get his baskets set up for him with a head of steam,

Starting point is 00:19:07 he can do that all day. but like it's less exertion. He is still putting up good numbers and he seems like he's having a blast. So like honestly, I mean, dunking is fun. It's fun to fly up on the floor.

Starting point is 00:19:25 It's fun. It's fun, not having to bring the ball up all the time, not having to organize everything. Like, again, like some of this is preservation. Like at this stage of his career, it is too much for LeBron to do that past a certain point for in a 30 to 35 minute roll a night. Like it just is. But that's not the same thing as saying LeBron is washed or LeBron can't contribute.

Starting point is 00:19:57 Just the problem for a while was they were trying to basically not just like cram a square peg into a round hole. it was like the three same square pegs into one round hole. Like it was too redundant. There was not enough skill variance. Like LeBron is in a lot of ways offering a different skill set now in the way that he's playing. And it just balances things out. It's a different skill set that the team didn't really have either. It's like who else was doing this sort of thing?

Starting point is 00:20:31 And like now you have a guy who not only can move, you know, this, again, This was sort of like I said in the first segment, like the extreme version, the version of this on stair. It's not going to get 10 ducks a game, but he's going to be in a position, particularly if the Lakers were able to continue this defensive pressure, to get a bunch of them. And he's going to be moving off the ball. And the more that the more that teams really recalibrate to this, the more they're going to have to start watching LeBron, the way of like, where is he going? What's he doing? Keep an eye on. And the more you're looking at LeBron, when he doesn't have the ball, the less attention you can give to AR or to Luka when they do.

Starting point is 00:21:11 And it's just there is something cooking here. And you're right. It's easier for LeBron. The results are still there. And it's phenomenal for the Lakers. We got to talk about DeAndre Aiton as well. And then the defense on, again, a just fantastic night for the Lakers. they continue to solidify playoff position,

Starting point is 00:21:37 build some confidence, and perhaps change the narrative about what people think about it. Do it next. Locked-on Lakers is brought to you by Zoc Doc. Finding a doctor you actually can feel like, finding a doctor you actually like, can feel like discovering a diamond in the rough. You want someone a network that's nearby with availability,

Starting point is 00:21:59 but you also want a doctor that really listens, that can be rare, makes you feel comfortable, explain things clearly, helps you walk out feeling confident about the next steps. Your diamond in the rough doctor exists. Finding them is easy with ZocDoc. Zoc Doc is a free app and a website that helps you find and book high quality in network.

Starting point is 00:22:18 Doctors so you can choose someone you finally connect with. And I love that you can search for specialties or symptoms and quickly find the right fit. Being able to choose in person or video visits makes scheduling way easier. Appointments usually happen within 24 to 72 hours. I can sometimes have same day open. Stop putting off those doctor visits.

Starting point is 00:22:37 Go to Zockdoch.com slash Lockedon MBA to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. That's ZOCDOC.com slash locked on MBA. Zock doc slash locked on MBA. Thanks to Zock doc for sponsoring this message. Locked on Lakers is also brought to you by five-hour energy. Welcome to the five-hour energy flavor draft with over 18 flavors.

Starting point is 00:23:03 not over with 18 flavors to choose from, including new options like confetti, craze, fruity rainbow, or cotton candy. There's something for everyone. Andy, the board is set. The flavors are ready. You want to know what my number one pick is for the five-hour energy draft?

Starting point is 00:23:21 It's sour apple. It's the apple that bites back. It's a crisp, tangy flavor. It's tart. It's a little sweet. It's a lot sour, and it's bold. You know who else is bold?

Starting point is 00:23:32 He's got two thumbs. is bold, this guy. So you, with each of these flavors, though, 18 of sour apples, not your one, maybe you're a fruity rainbow guy, maybe you prefer cherry, maybe you prefer the Concord grape flavor of grape with its smooth, rounded sweetness. Whatever your bag is when it comes to five-hour energy, there is a flavor for you. It gives you that boost with zero sugar. And they've got more flavor innovations planned. So if there's one that you want to see, we're right at a letter. Maybe they'll come through for you. Get your new favorite flavor of

Starting point is 00:24:07 five-hour energy shots available online at five-hourenergy.com or Amazon. I just, it is so much fun to watch the way this team is playing right now. And it is such a 180 from where we were, I don't know,

Starting point is 00:24:29 six weeks ago where it felt like hey, Lakers play tonight is a threat, not something to get you excited or interested. It is way more fun this way, Andy. Yeah. I mean, like I said, the fun that I was describing that LeBron is seemingly having in this different role,

Starting point is 00:24:53 there's just a fun contagion that's spreading through this team. Like there seems to be a real. A fun tajun even. Yes, a fun tajun. Like there seems to be a work hard, play hard things going on. Because like they are having a lot of fun, but they're. They are also working really hard. And I realize the more you win, the more the work feels less like work.

Starting point is 00:25:17 You know, like it doesn't seem as taxing when you're getting the fruits of your labor and you're getting the enjoyment of your labor. But like at this, it's it's just been really enjoyable. Like I everybody is buying in. Like we've talked about this a few times. everybody is buying into their roles. I know we plan to talk about Aiton. There's a really good piece that a friend of the show, Dan Wojke, wrote for the athletic profiling Aiton,

Starting point is 00:25:48 where he talked about just look, I start out the year really well, but then there was a period where I was not matching the team's energy, and I did not want to be that guy anymore. Like I didn't. I'm done being that dude. I'm going to go out. there. I'm not going to worry about points, you know, even though obviously they need him to

Starting point is 00:26:12 score a certain amount. They become better when he scores. But he's like, I'm going to focus my energy on everything else. And like I think when you see everybody else doing this stuff, it's just it's like a good form of peer pressure. You don't want to be, you don't want to be the one that stands out for all the wrong reasons. Aiton had 16 points on eight of 10 shooting, four rebounds. He had three blocks in terms of rim protection. So that was his, you know, a big contribution defensively. Again, moved well in space, put out the effort defensively and all that stuff. But, you know, his 16 points in the 8 to 10 shooting, that was a good counterbalance to

Starting point is 00:26:55 Alperin Shangun. Now, no, did he outscore Shangun? No. Schengun's an all-star. He is a focal point of the of the Houston offense. But he helped counteract that, you know, 16 points of his own. And made Schengun work defensively. I think it was easier for him to operate offensively against Schengun than it was against, you know, a highly motivated Clint Capella. And that shook him loose a little bit, a little tougher to rebound, a little easier to score.

Starting point is 00:27:30 But, you know, the activity was there from DA, the engagement and all that stuff. And eight of ten shooting, you know, you're going to win a lot of games when you get eight of ten shooting from your starting center and 13 of 14 from your starting power forward. That's some pretty good efficiency. Yeah. Aitin was very good in this game. I do think, as I thought would be the case in this game, it would be more of a defensive struggle maybe overstating it, but challenge with a guy like Shingoon as opposed to Capella. but he held up his end of the bargain in production.

Starting point is 00:28:07 He was definitely active. And again, it's an extension of what he's been talking about. It's also, too, the first time in a few games where Aiton, his presence was felt in tangible ways earlier in a game, as opposed to seemingly saving it all for the end. And look, the way he played in overtime against Denver, the way he played down the stretch against Houston, massive. I'm not trying to detract from it at all. The point is he spent most of those games not particularly impactful and then came up huge. This was a game where he started out much more seemingly in rhythm and much more productive.

Starting point is 00:28:47 And that what you do in the beginning of a game matters just as much as what you do at the end. They're all part of the same 48-minute ecosystem. Yeah, for sure. And look, I mean, the Lakers are, there's still some things that you, you know, You want to see get better. You want to see a little more production from Rui, broadly speaking. Lucanard did hit a three in this game, but turned ball over three times. So not his best minutes.

Starting point is 00:29:17 You know, missed a, I realize everybody misses, but I mean, a wide open three that you just expect him to be able to make. Jake Laravia, you know, five points in ten minutes. But like, you just sort of short contributions from the bench. But the flip side is this, these have been kind of little. little issues that have been popping up over the length of this streak and they keep winning. And so, you know, they are doing it, you know, they've, they've seemed to have figured out. They out scored Houston's bench.

Starting point is 00:29:47 That's true. I mean, they actually know, you're right. Houston's bench scored 17 combined. The Lakers had the Lakers had 19. I mean, it's not a lot, but it's two more. They won the battle. 19s more. And, you know, but so like,

Starting point is 00:30:03 Like they are, they've figured out a style of play that has turned the big three from a net negative playing together to a very much so a net positive playing together. They figured out how they're, you know, how to organize their defense in ways. You know, they've got Luca who, you know, I think in sort of Luca defenders, there's been a lot of numbers flying around, you know, basketball, Twitter, basketball, Reddit, things like that, about. just how well Luca is playing defensively and his defensive numbers, they are quite good. It's not even like good enough or passable, like just legitimately caveat-free, qualifier-free, good.

Starting point is 00:30:48 Three to four weeks, his defense has been much better. That doesn't mean everyone was wrong when they were talking about the first few months or Luca overarching. Like we've both said that we think his defensive reputation is worse than it actually is on the court. But it is not always a strong suit either. But last three to four weeks,

Starting point is 00:31:10 his defense has actually been really good. Absolutely. And the effort and the energy has been there. And as we have pointed out and will continue to point out, he has to get back on defense now because he's not allowed to stay at the other end and complain. So it really does make a huge difference. And I think we should change the rules.

Starting point is 00:31:29 So teams, if they choose, can give their own players, files at the beginning of every year just to avoid potentially some of these other things. But, you know, he is, you know, for all the stuff that we talk about in this game, like, is just a vehicle for truly understanding and appreciating just how good Luca is. and what it means from a differentiation standpoint to have one of those dudes on your team. And, you know, Oklahoma City's obviously got one in Shea, and, you know, the Spurs have, you know, Wembe,

Starting point is 00:32:15 and then, like, nine other people. Like, that team is frightening at how fast they've come together. You know, Steph Castle is crazy good. Really good. You know, Minnesota has aunt. Denver has Yokic. I would argue Houston doesn't really have one of those guys anymore. Detroit has Cade.

Starting point is 00:32:35 The Lakers have Luca and you walk into a series with a swagger when you know you have one of those guys. And when you also know that you have LeBron still there and you have Austin Reeves, you know, and all these like, all of a sudden the Lakers have a lot of earned. confidence, particularly after this run where they've beaten Houston twice, Denver, Minnesota, the Knicks for getting something, I think. Real quick, because I've seen a few questions about this in the chat regarding it being

Starting point is 00:33:13 a back-to-back who is not available tomorrow. To the best of my knowledge thus far, nothing has been clarified one way or the other. I know there was concerns with LeBron that hardfall on his elbow, which I will say, like, was it like a month ago when LeBron hurt his elbow, came back into the game for like three or four possessions was dead armed. Like he, other than making a couple passes, his arm was just dangling like his shoulder was separated because clearly it was hurting. Which it wasn't.

Starting point is 00:33:45 Right. Said at the time, I thought, uh, JJ made a mistake putting him back in. This looked different. Like LeBron did not look dead armed. It would look funny bone. Just looked like a standard funny bone. He looked much. better. But I have no idea what the protocol is thus far in terms of second end of a back-to-back.

Starting point is 00:34:06 But I really do think, and I think you agree, they went into this game saying, we have to win this one because Miami is going to be a crapshoot on a lot of games. And the Miami game is important because all games are important. We're reaching a stretch run. They, you know, just over 10 games. It's like all that kind of stuff. Every game is is amplified. but the stakes of this one where essentially was a, they call the two-game swing games, you know, against your conference opponents, really was a three-game swing because of the tiebreaker aspect of this.

Starting point is 00:34:39 Yeah. And so, I mean, the value of this game Wednesday was so much higher than what Thursday's game will be in Miami. I would be surprised if LeBron played but not shot only because, Because of Miami. In the chat, according to Laker 0824, LeBron said he's playing tomorrow night. So I will, like I said, it's Miami. If they were on their way to New Orleans, I think it might be a different conversation.

Starting point is 00:35:12 I would expect LeBron potentially to take a game off at some point in the next two or three. Indiana feels prime. Indiana, you know, I could see if he plays Thursday, I could see. Saturday in Orlando being something. I think I'll want to play against Detroit. But, you know, I could see a day off coming there somewhere. I mean, we'll see. But like, you know, but look, I mean, if you've got to sit a few guys on Thursday,

Starting point is 00:35:40 okay. Like, what winning streaks give you the space to do? And, you know, we have one of those games to see if the bench can step up. Great day for Lakers, the Lakers, a really fun time for Lakers fans, locked on Lakers on YouTube. So we can hang out with over 37,000 subscribers. Help us get to 38. We're getting real close.

Starting point is 00:35:59 We'll see everyone in the afternoon on Thursday and then obviously after the game.

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers - Luka Dončić (40 Points), LeBron (30) Lift Lakers to Critical 124-116 Win Over Houston

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.