Lakers Use Second Half Defense, Balanced Scoring to Beat Heat 117-108
The Lakers collapsed over the final 15 minutes of Monday's game against San Antonio. On Wednesday, the Lakers looked stagnant and sloppy for the first 24 minutes, giving up 66 points and falling behind by 12 at the break. For a 20-17 team, playing a Heat squad without Jimmy Butler, they simply had to find a way to win. And it wasn't easy, but over the course of the second half, the Lakers increased the pressure defensively, holding Miami to 19 points in the third quarter, and only 23 in the fourth to win (relatively) comfortably, 117-108. It was a strange game, with Miami spending as much of it as they could in a zone, and the Lakers struggling to figure out how to penetrate it. The Lakers couldn't get any kind of production from the bench. But while it wasn't pretty and it's hard to feel like the Lakers discovered (re-discovered?) some sort of winning formula, they found a way in a game they had to have. There's a lot of work left to build the Lakers back up once again into a team that feels capable of consistently good play. It remains to be seen if they can even get there. But in the meantime, they have to figure out how to win enough games so that if the team does find—and then sustain—the next level, they're using that improvement to solidify a seed up in the top six in the West, not scrambling just to get into the play-in rounds. At the least, the first step was rediscovering the defensive intensity that helped the Lakers win six straight a couple weeks back. These Lakers aren't always going to play well, but they can always play hard. Forcing 20 Miami turnovers should have led to more than 23 points the other way, but those points plus the shots Miami wasn't able to take were what swung the game. The homestand was interrupted by tragedy, changing the complexion of this stretch of season that was supposed to go LA's way, getting them prepped for the long roadie at the end of the month. That's not how it's going to play out anymore. But if Wednesday was a "show me" game, where the Lakers had to prove they still were willing to work hard for a win after (bleeping) the bed on Monday, they cleared that bar... in the second half, at least. HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: The Lakers manage to grind out a win. SEGMENT 2: Balanced scoring, and Rui's best game in a long time. SEGMENT 3: Lots of work left to do, but they've got to win in the meantime. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!OpenPhoneThe #1 business phone system designed to help you keep your work and personal life separate.Right now, OpenPhone is offering 20% off your first 6 months when you go to OpenPhone.com/LOCKEDONNBA.and if you have existing numbers with another service, OpenPhone will port them over at no extra charge! Rocket RXRight now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply.Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple.HungryrootWith Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one.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 codeLOCKEDONNBA. WayFairAfter the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.Ultimate GMA special offer for Locked On NBA listeners: Use promo code LOCKEDONCBB (all caps) when you download Ultimate College Basketball HC at ultimate-cbb.com or look it up on the app stores, to get a free boost for your program. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your coaching career. Ultimate College Basketball HC—begin your coaching legacy today! HungryrootWith Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one.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. SKIMSShop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com/lockedonnba. Let them know we sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. RobinhoodWith Robinhood Gold, you can now enjoy the VIP treatment. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. To receive 3% boost on annual IRA contributions, sign up at robinhood.com/gold.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelFrom the first whistle to the final drive, FanDuel makes the NFL Playoffs even more exciting!Right now, new customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get THREE HUNDRED BUCKS in BONUS BETS – if you win your first bet!Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.Make this playoff season unforgettable with FanDuel, an official sportsbook partner of the NFL. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)