Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers Locked On Podcast Network

The Lakers spanked the Pelicans on Sunday to earn their way to the 8-seed and... a repeat of Sunday's game in New Orleans. This time, however, the winner of the game advances straight into the rest of the postseason, finishing as the West's 7-seed and winning a chance to travel to Denver this weekend.

The loser plays the winner of Wednesday's game between Sacramento and Golden State.

On paper, at least, the Lakers would seem to be the favorites. Three wins in four games over New Orleans, with an average mergin of victory exceeding 26 points. That's some real dominance and indicates the Lakers have structural advantages in the matchup. LeBron James, in addition to being excellent, is also a bad matchup for Zion Williamson, who can't use his strength to bully James around offensively and can't outthink the supercomputer that is LeBron, either. The Pellies don't have a great matchup guarding James, either. And meanwhile, as Sunday showed, they're not rich in guys who match up well with Anthony Davis.

On the other hand, the Pelicans have been, at least until a bit of an injury-induced lull at the end of the year, among the best teams in the conference for much of the second half. There is plenty of talent there, and no shortage of shooting.

So what's going to happen? We break it down in a fantastic crossover episode with Jake Madison, host of Locked On Pelicans.

What are the matchups to watch? How might the Pelicans turn things around against LA? What are the big strategic plays available for both teams?

Plus, should either group be looking to tank the game in order to change their odds for a longer playoff run?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Jake Madison

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get another crack at the Pels, after throttling them good three out of four games this year.



SEGMENT 2: LeBron vs. Zion.



SEGMENT 3: How the Pelicans can turn the tables on LA.



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The Lakers played about as poorly as a team can Friday in Memphis without actually losing.

Sunday, they made up for it in a huge way. Win, and the Lakers would solidify an 8-seed, and a chance to get into the postseason bracket with only one win (while earning the luxury of a do-over, if needed). Lose, and they're the 10. Win twice, or go home, both on the road.

It was pretty clear which option the Lakers preferred. The came out hot early, with a determined and focused effort to take control. They increased their lead big into the half (17 points) and won the third quarter by five to refuse the Pelicans even an inch of opportunity. Anthony Davis (30 points) and LeBron James (28 points, 17 assists) were both dominant, and had more than enough help from Austin Reaves (20 points ) and D'Angelo Russell (18 points, 5-10 from downtown). The defensive effort was stellar as well.

Now the Lakers, as the 8-seed, take on New Orleans on Tuesday with a chance to move through into the first round. The opportunity is there- LA's margin of victory in the three they've won over the Pellies is massive. And the game they lost was on the second night of a back-to-back, with multiple players missing. Advantage Lakers. That would earn them four full days of rest before visiting Denver (sigh) in the first round.

Speaking of that, some of the more artful on Lakers social media are suggesting the Lakers might want to lose on purpose Tuesday, then go ahead and win on Friday in the second game of the play-in, thus earning the 8-seed and a date with top-seeded Oklahoma City, a much, much better matchup for LA.

Is this an idea worth entertaning?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: The Lakers throttle New Orleans, in one of their best games of the year.

SEGMENT 2: Anthony Davis and LeBron James dominate. The supporting cast is there. And it's pretty clear the Pelicans just don't match up well with the Lakers.



SEGMENT 3: Should the Lakers try to avoid Denver in the first round?



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They didn't deserve it, but the Lakers got the win anyway.

Against a Memphis Grizzlies team that had 13 players on the injured list, eight players in uniform, and zero players who started the season playing meaningful minutes for an NBA team, the Lakers still needed all 48 minutes to come away with a 123-120 win. How much good it does them depends on what else happens around the conference, but at least the Lakers kept the dream of moving up alive.

Even if they shouldn't have been allowed to.

This was, very likely, the most annoying win of the year. But it was a win, which beats the alternative. We'll see if the time LeBron (41 minutes) and Anthony Davis (43 minutes) spent on the floor that they absolutely shouldn't have needed to hurts on Sunday. But for now, at least, the Lakers got the thing that mattered most. Even if how they did it was kind of appalling.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



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Given the disappointment of Wednesday's results and the box it puts the Lakers in from a standings perspective - they're far more likely now to be a 10 seed than anything else - there was at least some speculation that the Lakers might just leave a recovering Anthony Davis and LeBron James at home, at least for Friday's game in Memphis. Let them fully recover before playing again, and see if Sunday in New Orleans matters.

There were certainly arguments to be made against that plan, and apparently those are the ones the Lakers went with. Davis and James both were on the plane, and are in position to play tonight. Davis is probable, and LeBron, who has been questionable (unless he's out) for basically every game this season, and will be questionable (or out) for every game he plays until he retires is, well, questionable.

But there's no indication he won't play.

The Lakers are going to play this thing out, try to win a couple games and hope they get a little help from other teams around the conference. Is that the right call?

Meanwhile, Thursday's show asked if Anthony Davis was being treated unfairly by Lakers fans after missing Wednesday's game, and it's fair to say that if the show's YouTube page is any indication, said fans are split pretty evenly on the issue between "leave him alone" and "dude should have tried/played/sucked it up." Reflective, for sure, of the unique position he occupies in the minds of LA's faithful.

Finally, this week there was some chatter on The Hoop Collective podcast over at ESPN about the future of LeBron in LA. Everything from the length of the deal to whether he'd get a no-trade clause. How will the Lakers approach all of this?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: AD and LeBron are traveling, but fans are still annoyed at Davis. Some of them, at least.

SEGMENT 2: Should the Lakers shorten the rotation?

SEGMENT 3: The Lakers and LeBron are wedded to each other for the duration.

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Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA.

Anthony Davis has been outstanding for the Lakers this season. He's put up numbers. He's been available, piling up minutes despite a variety of ailments. He's anchored a Lakers defense that often becomes catastrophically bad without him available.

But the timing of his latest injury/illness couldn't have been worse. Davis has missed the team's last seven quarters, and they happened to be seven of the most important quarters the Lakers have played all season. And while his symptoms (headache, nausea) sound like they're concussion related, the Lakers have said he's not in the protocols. Which means he was sick, and in a Kobe Bryant town, the idea that illness would keep a star out of a game as important as Tuesday's?

Doesn't sit well. And plenty of fans have hammered AD over it. But is it fair?

And beyond that, why are fans so quick to turn on Davis in a moment like this?

Then there are the practical questions of what the Lakers should do next. They're likely, though not guaranteed, to finish in the 10 spot in the West. With that in mind, would it be best to leave Davis and maybe even James at home for the final two games and make sure they're 100% fit and ready for the Play In?

Finally, reports on Wednesday indicate that the New Orleans Pelicans, who can take possession of LA's pick either this year or next, will let the Lakers have it this summer. Why?

Well, there are probably a few reasons, and none of them really work in the favor of the Lakers.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Anthony Davis is catching a lot of flak from Lakers fans.

SEGMENT 2: Why does Davis find himself on the wrong end of this sort of criticism, even after having such a strong year?

SEGMENT 3: Why would the Pelicans let the Lakers keep their pick this offseason?

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eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARENTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – win or lose! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.

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)