Well, they won.
That's about the only big positive free to take from Thursday's 134-131 OT win over the Wizards at The Crypt. Anthony Davis had 40 points to go with 15 boards and three blocks, LeBron was great in the OT and throughout, really, finishing with 31/4/9, along with a crucial chase down block on Jordan Poole. D'Angelo Russell kicked in with 22. But Washington came into the game (and left it) winless in Feburary, and have now lost 12 straight.
Needing an extra bit of hoop time to beat them is nothing to be proud of.
And now, things are going to get much harder. The next seven games include teams that are red hot, at the top of the playoff ladder in the Western Conference, or both, with the possible exception of the slumping Sacramento Kings. The Lakers will need to play significantly better over the next two-plus weeks than they did on Thursday, or even through three quarters against the Clippers.
They've won nine of 12, which by any standard is excellent, but it'll take good wins over good teams to make people feel better about what the Lakers might do going forward. The opportunity is there, with all but one of these games (@Sacramento) taking place at home, where the Lakers are 21-9 on the year.
Friend of the Show Harrison Faigen of SB Nation fame stops by to hang out.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Harrison Faigen!
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win, but it doesn't feel great.
SEGMENT 2: Does anyone feel really confident about their chances right now, despite winning nine of 12?
SEGMENT 3: A wide open West.
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