After dropping a game against the Rockets and then suffering a crushing buzzer beater Friday against the Mavericks, the Lakers are basically all out of hall passes. With 11 games to go, if they want to give themselves a shot at the playoffs, they can't afford more than a couple losses.
And for one of those to come at home against Orlando? Can't have it.
Austin Reaves made sure the Lakers went home with a W. Career game, 35 points, six rebounds, six assists, and 18 trips to the free throw line. He was incredible, and easily the best player on the floor for either team. And the Lakers, who got better performances from D'Angelo Russell (18 points, 4/8 from downtown) and Troy Brown Jr. (4/8 from 3), needed every ounce of production Reaves was able to provide because the Lakers still haven't figured out how to spring Anthony Davis loose offensively now that teams are giving him so much extra attention.
Davis played a good game defensively (four blocks, countless shots deterred/contested), but with only 15 points, just wasn't a big factor on that end. It's something the Lakers need to fix over their final 10 games if they're going to win enough of them to make the potential return of LeBron James relevant.
And on that front, Darvin Ham said Sunday the Lakers expecting him to be back before the end of the regular season.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Austin Reaves is incredible on a night where Anthony Davis is not, and he may very well have saved LA's season. At least for now.

SEGMENT 2: How can the Lakers do more to shake Davis loose offensively?

SEGMENT 3: The bench has come through for the Lakers in a big way, but the starters aren't pulling their weight.

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