To this point, the Lakers have been a very good team at home (6-0) and a very, very meh group on the road. That made Friday's game against a solid-at-home, up-and-coming San Antonio team a big one (whether you're thinking regular season stuff, or the first game in NBA Cup pool play). LA took a punch in the mouth to start the game, but quickly got back on track defensively, finished the first quarter ahead, and stayed out front for (almost) the rest of the game. Final score, 120-115. The Lakers run their record to 8-4, with a game against an injury-riddled New Orleans squad coming tomorrow. This was a great game on a lot of levels. It starts with the stars. Anthony Davis finished with 40 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James, pushing 40, had his FOURTH STRAIGHT triple-double (15/16/12). Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell and Dalton Knecht all finished in double figures, as did Max Christie, pressed into service with Rui Hachimura sidelined thanks to a bum ankle. Low bar to clear, but this was easily Christie's best game of the season. 11 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block, and a level of aggression that has not been present to this point in the season. Between him and Russell, the Lakers got real, live bench production. It can't be overstated how important that is for them. Will Christie have a chance to build on this? With Hachimura potentially out Saturday, he could have a chance. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 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! Mint MobileTo get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details. RobinhoodRobinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. 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. FanDuelYou can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM 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)
To this point, the Lakers have been a very good team at home (6-0) and a very, very meh group on the road.
That made Friday's game against a solid-at-home, up-and-coming San Antonio team a big one (whether you're thinking regular season stuff, or the first game in NBA Cup pool play). LA took a punch in the mouth to start the game, but quickly got back on track defensively, finished the first quarter ahead, and stayed out front for (almost) the rest of the game.
Final score, 120-115. The Lakers run their record to 8-4, with a game against an injury-riddled New Orleans squad coming tomorrow.
This was a great game on a lot of levels. It starts with the stars. Anthony Davis finished with 40 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James, pushing 40, had his FOURTH STRAIGHT triple-double (15/16/12). Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell and Dalton Knecht all finished in double figures, as did Max Christie, pressed into service with Rui Hachimura sidelined thanks to a bum ankle.
Low bar to clear, but this was easily Christie's best game of the season. 11 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block, and a level of aggression that has not been present to this point in the season. Between him and Russell, the Lakers got real, live bench production. It can't be overstated how important that is for them.
Will Christie have a chance to build on this? With Hachimura potentially out Saturday, he could have a chance.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
Mint Mobile
To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details.
Robinhood
Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold.
Gametime
Download 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.
FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM 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)