LOCKED ON LAKERS -- 12/21/16 --What should the Lakers do if Larry Nance, Jr. misses significant time?

Lakers-Nuggets Series Preview: Davis v. Jokic, DLo vs. Murray, LeBron vs. the Odds, and more!: The overwhelming consensus has the defending champion Denver Nuggets winning their first-round series against the Lakers, and relatively easily. And it makes sense why, given all their credentials and that Nikola Jokic/Jamal Murray pairing. But the Lakers have played extremely well over the last few months, and the starting lineup of LeBron James/Anthony Davis/Rui Hachimura/Austin Reaves/D'Angelo Russell has often been deadly piling up points. Hachimura and Russell are having career years. James looks healthy. The team can actually make outside shots. Gabe Vincent is perhaps primed for a key role as a defensive specialist. There's actually a playable backup big in Jaxson Hayes. If nothing else, it feels like the Lakers are in a better place to beat the odds than last season, when the Nuggets swept them in the Western Conference Finals. Our guest, basketball analyst and former college baller by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

37 min listen

Why the Lakers Have a Better Chance to Beat the Nuggets Than People Think: Everyone has the Nuggets beating the Lakers. Everyone. And why not? Denver are the defending NBA champions. They're elite. And they've won seven straight games over the Lakers. The same Los Angeles Lakers that were a bit of a basket case all year long, never caught any consistency, and built no faith with anyone. So it's a foregone conclusion, right? Maybe not! Because there are real reasons to believe that the Lakers have a chance to surprise some people. Not made up stuff that doesn't mean anything, or not super unrealistic stuff that can't possibly happen. The Lakers have a real opportunity to do a lot better than many are expecting. There are legitimate reasons to feel optimistic about LA's chances to make things happen in this series. First, the whole "seven straight wins" thing between the Nuggets and Lakers isn't meaningless, but it's also misleading. All of the games have been competitive, and five by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

32 min listen

The Lakers Beat Pelicans 110-106, Advance to Face Nuggets in the First Round of the Playoffs: This win didn't quite look like the others, but in the end the Lakers got what they came for, and once again defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, winning Tuesday in the 7/8 Play-In Game. It's the fourth time in five this season LA has topped the Pelicans, and the second time in three days - both on the road - and this one is undoubtedly the most significant. It pushes the Lakers into the first round of the main draw, where they'll kick off a series against the Nuggets beginning Saturday in Denver. It's been a very long time since the Lakers beat Denver, and there will be plenty to say about that series between now and Saturday, but for today it's worth noting how the Lakers got it done on Tuesday, and how that might influence things going forward. Because while Anthony Davis and LeBron James played hard (Davis through back spasms) and gave it what they had, neither was efficient offensively by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

34 min listen

Play-In Preview, Lakers Vs. Pelicans: Can LeBron Stop Zion Again? Who Stops Anthony Davis?: 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 J by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

34 min listen

Lakers Dominate Pelicans, 124-108, Rematch Tuesday For Seven Seed Play-In.: 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, ta by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

Undeserving Lakers Escape From Memphis With a 123-120 Win Over Grizzlies.: 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 Suppor by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

15 min listen

LeBron, Anthony Davis Travel for Lakers-Grizzlies. Plus, Should Darvin Ham Shorten the Rotation?: 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 pl by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

31 min listen

Locked On Lakers Trailer: 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. by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

1 min listen

Is It Fair for Lakers Fans to Criticize Anthony Davis for Missing the Warriors Game?: 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 prac by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

31 min listen

With Anthony Davis Out, Lakers Lose 134-120 to Golden State Warriors... Likely to Finish 10th In the West.: The Lakers have been the beneficiaries of good health from LeBron James and Anthony Davis... until right about now. Sunday, LeBron missed a key game against Minnesota with an illness, and Anthony Davis was knocked out at the end of the first quarter after being whacked in the head. Tuesday, in a game that would add tremendous clarity -- good or bad -- to where the Lakers might finish in the West, Davis was still on the sidelines with a headache and nausea (we'll leave it to the armchair physicians to decide what that sounds like) and LeBron was still feeling awful, arriving at the arena just before game time. And, not surprisingly, the Lakers struggled big time against a Golden State team playing excellent basketball. It didn't help that the Warriors were white hot from 3-point range (LA's defensive shortcomings notwithstanding), hitting 26 triples en route to a 134-120 win o by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

Lakers Face Must-Win Game Against Golden State Warriors... Plus, What's D'Angelo Russell's Future with the Team?: Things are getting really tight in the Western Conference, and number of combinations and permutations when it comes to potential end-of-the-year standings could make your eyes bleed. The Lakers could still finish anywhere from 6th (with a lot of help) to 10th (if they don't help themselves). And suffice to say, if they have any prayer of rising higher than their current lot (9th) they need to win out, starting tonight at home against the Warriors. It's the last home game of the regular season, and the Lakers can either solidify the opportunity to host at least one of their (potentially) two play-in games, or leave themselves vulnerable to having to win two games on the road just to make the main draw. Win, on the other hand, and everything from eight to six is still live, at least for another day. It won't be easy. The Warriors are playing very good basketball after by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

33 min listen

Anthony Davis Re-Injures Eye During Lakers' 127-117 Loss to Timberwolves, Fall Back to Nine Seed: LeBron James (flu-like symptons) was already out of the lineup Sunday for LA's matchup against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves at the Crypt. Still, they got off to a great start, led 37-33 after the first quarter, and kept the lead into the second... until Anthony Davis was whacked across the face, re-injuring the same eye he hurt against Golden State last month. He did not return, and at that point the Wolves went on a massive run and the Lakers really couldn't do much to stop it. By halftime, Minnesota was up 15. LA played hard in the third and managed to get the deficit down to four, but couldn't keep up the momentum. To their credit, the Lakers fought hard all game, but the talent/size disparity facing one of the West's best was just too much to deal with. Minnesota has a lot to play for and was surely conscious of letting off the accelerator despite the lead. Once the Lakers g by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

33 min listen

Davis, LeBron and Russell Shine as Lakers Beat Cavaliers 116-97, Move up to 8 Seed for Play-In.: Thanks to an excellent road trip and a well-timed skid from the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers showed up at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday with a chance to move, however temporarily, into the 8th spot in the Western Conference. That would, however, require a strong effort against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who entered as the 3-seed in the Eastern Conference. So no pushover there. Winner winner, chicken dinner. LA beats the Cavs, 116-97. After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Lakers took control of the game, and after letting Cleveland take the lead in the third following a huge run, the Lakers took it right back and never let the Cavs back into the game. Ultimately, it was one of their better games inside this hot streak, especially on the defensive end. The Lakers were particularly effective against Cleveland's guard combo of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, holding them to 36 points on by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

16 min listen

Rui Hachimura Has Juiced the Lakers' Offense, and Michael Cooper May be Entering the Hall of Fame.: The path this season for Rui Hachimura hasn't exactly been super duper smooth. There have been injuries, inconsistent performance, and extremely inconsistent stretches of playing time. His path to the starting lineup at the beginning of last month was somewhat accidental. But since he got there? Man alive, has he played well, and the Lakers have thrived. To the point that in March, he was the most efficient player in the NBA. His attention to detail defensively, Darvin Ham says, has increased. He's rebounding the ball with increased vigor, something the Lakers really, really, REALLY needed him to do. Darvin Ham says he's finally gightened up on the details enough to merit this type of role. OThers might argue he could have been doing it a lot longer if given a chance. It's an interesting part of the broader saga for the Lakers this season, one where moves that could be at least som by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

Lakers Finish 5-1 Road Trip with 125-120 Win Over Wizards. Jarred Vanderbilt Close to Return?: When you get to the last game of a six game road trip, there are all sorts of ways to view the game. Some might land on "just win, style points don't count," especially given the Lakers were playing on the second night of a back-to-back and didn't get to Washington until 3 in the morning. Others might look at the opponent—the absolutely awful Washington Wizards—and believe the "how" matters. Your POV on this sort of thing will definitely color your reaction to LA's 125-120 win, one that looked like it might be a carbon copy of Tuesday's win over Toronto... until it wasn't. Where the Lakers used a huge third quarter to pull away from the Raptors and never gave them a chance to get back into it, the Lakers on Wednesday built a big lead, then allowed a 15-0 run that got Washington right back in. After another big push, Darvin Ham emptied the bench, only to have to re-insert his starters for by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

32 min listen

Lakers Roll Raptors 128-111, 4-1 on Road Trip... But Will They Ever Move Up in the Standings?: The Lakers this season have generally played to the level of their competition. That's a nice thing in games against, say, Milwaukee or Oklahoma City. But it's been an issue against the lousy teams in the league as well. Tuesday in Toronto, the Lakers faced off against a Toronto Raptors team that had lost 13 straight games, and simply could not afford a letdown. This was a game they needed to win... And it was one of their better games of the season against a team like this one. After a slow start, the Lakers took control about halfway through the first quarter. They hit a minor lull near the half, but then came out in the third and completely blew the game open with a 36-21 quarter and in the end, the players you want to see playing in the fourth (Maxwell Lewis, Colin Castleton, etc.) were on the floor, and Anthony Davis and LeBron James were both under 30 minutes. Only one starter (D'An by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

The Lakers Are Winning More Games, But What Have We Really Learned About Their Postseason Potential?: Even as the Lakers are winning more games (7-3 over their last 10, 18-8 over their last 26), it's still a little tricky to figure out exactly what they are. How good are they? Are they more contender than pretender? What do you make of some of the big wins, like Milwaukee I and II, Minnesota, OKC, etc? They're clearly much too good to be the genuinely mediocre/middish team they looked like they might be after the post-IST slump. Likely the Lakers finish 10-12 games over .500, which last year would have been enough for around a 4-seed in the West. Now? Likely ninth. But they're clearly not among the elite, either. Unless you're just thinking of results against the high end teams, in which case... they kind of are? So much to sort out. One big Q: Do the Lakers themselves- players and coaching staff- feel like they know? And more importantly, do they agree on the answer? Meanwhile by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

36 min listen

LeBron James Hits Nine 3's, Scores 40, (Sloppy) Lakers Beat Nets 116-104: After dropping Friday's game to the Pacers in Indiana, the Lakers restarted their roadtrip in Brooklyn with a clear mandate - sweep the final three games, all coming against weak teams. And on the one hand, the Lakers did some serious work early, running out to a 17-0 lead, while ballooned to 31-11 by the end of the first quarter. That gave them some wiggle room over the final three quarters, and unfortunately the Lakers decided to use it. Particularly in the third quarter, where the Lakers committed a parade of turnovers that let the Nets cut a lead that had grown as high as 26 back down to single digits. Chalk up some of them to to decent play from Brooklyn, but most of them were simply a result of sloppiness from LA. It was the difference between an easy win where the starters need to play deep into the fourth and one where LeBron, Anthony Davis and Co. could have sat down much faster. There were plenty of by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

36 min listen

BONUS: Lakers Lose In Indiana, Waste an Opportunity to Gain Ground in the Western Conference: In Memphis, the Lakers couldn't miss. Friday in Indiana? How does 16.7% from three point range sound. They held a Pacers team that hung 145 on them at the Crypt a week or so ago to 109 points, but because they only scored 90 themselves, the game was a runaway. Or ended up that way, at least, because LA had a chance to get things very. very close in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get themselves over the hump. Every the opportunity was there, they'd either turn the ball over or miss a shot, and eventually they ran out of time. Maybe it was tired legs, with the team playing a third game in four nights. Maybe it was just the law of averages getting them because sometimes games like this happen. It's a statistical outlier, but outliers happen. What it really turns out to be is a missed opportunity to gain ground in the West, as both Phoenix and Sacramento lost. Contextually, losing this g by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

12 min listen

D'Angelo Russell says he wants to remain a Laker, and Gabe Vincent Reportedly May Return Sunday vs. Nets: Some interesting news of late for the Lakers ahead of the third game of a thus-far undefeated road trip. First, D'Angelo Russell told Hoopshype that he'd like to remain a Laker if possible, but also implied that he'll be weighing his options this offseason, including his contract player option. The season began with everyone assuming D'Lo would be traded before the deadline. Instead, he's having arguably the best season of his career. He's always been a polarizing player, but has the performance shifted perceptions? Where could he potentially go?Also, Shams Charania reported that Gabe Vincent could be available for action soon, maybe even Sunday in Brooklyn. Obviously, there have been reports of Vincent's imminent return, only to prove premature. But Vincent has actually been ramping up of late. Assuming he's able to play, how difficult will integrating a player who's only got five by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

33 min listen

LeBron Returns, Rui Hachimura puts up 32 as Lakers Beat Grizzlies 136-124.: Was it a perfect game? Not as much as a 136-124 score might indicate. At one point in the third quarter, the Lakers pushed their lead to 27, creating a potential opportunity for the starters to rest for basically the entire fourth quarter. Instead, Rui Hachimura had to continue his scintillating outside shooting, canning seven(!) threes on the way to 32 points and ten rebounds. LeBron James, in his return after sitting out the Milwaukee win while nursing his problematic ankle, played more minutes than preferable for his triple-double. D'Angelo Russell hit five threes of his own. Jaxson Hayes had 14 points and seven rebounds filling in for Anthony Davis, who got the night off after logging 52 minutes in the double OT win over the Bucks. Again, would have been nice to maintain a 20-plus point cushion. But that's not the same thing as the game ever really being in jeopardy, which it wasn't. All in all, pretty une by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

36 min listen

The Lakers win 128-124 in Double OT over the Bucks, without LeBron. Signature Victory of the Season?: Game of the season for the Lakers? That's up for debate and personal taste, but there's no question Tuesday's 128-124 double overtime road win over the Milwaukee Bucks, short LeBron James no less, is on the short list of signature victories this season. What seemingly began as a blowout loss in the making gradually, steadily, and impressively shifted into an absolutely spectacular display of guts and will from, among others, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. AD, who played much of the game on a leg clearly bugging him, wrapped up the night with a monster 34/23/4 block line, including the erasure of a Damian Lillard floater to push the game into 2OT. Austin Reaves began the night shaky, but finished with a 29/14/10 triple-double, highlighted by a few jaw-droppingly deep threes in big moments. D'Lo had a rough night shooting overall, but hit a flurry of th by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

36 min listen

LeBron Doubtful for Tonight's Game vs. Bucks... and Can the Lakers Catch the Suns?: The Lakers kick off a six game road trip tonight in Milwaukee. Normally this sort of thing would be looked on with some bit of dread, especially given that the Lakers have been a horrible road team all season. And certainly Monday's game against the Bucks will be a major challenge, especially in light of LeBron James being downgraded to doubtful ahead of the contest thanks to the same ankle that's kept him on the injury report all year. Hopefully he/the Lakers are just picking one day for LBJ to rest in the space of a back to back... but there's really know way to know until Wednesday when the Lakers arrive in Memphis. But as for this one, yes, the Lakers beat the Bucks recently, but Milwaukee has played better of late, and is unquestionably a contender in the East. This would be a losable game with or without James. But hey, maybe the Lakers surprise shorthanded. Wouldn't be the first time, this se by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

Lakers, Fueled by Big Nights from Anthony Davis, Spencer Dinwiddie, Beat Pacers 150-145 in Chaotic Game.: One figured this would be a high-scoring night, given how the Indiana Pacers have arguably the best offensive team in the NBA all season, the Lakers have morphed over the course of the year into a juggernaut in their own right, and neither team should brag about their defenses of late. Yes, the Lakers were without D'Angelo Russell, but still, there's plenty of firepower to go around in L.A. But even by those standards, this 150-145 Lakers win was an insane shootout. Four Lakers with 25+ points. 26 for Spencer Dinwiddie, starting in D'Lo's spot and having the best game of his purple and gold tenure. (On the heels of what had been his best L.A. game Friday against the Sixers.) 36 points for Anthony Davis, who made 15 of 21 shots and pulled down 16 rebounds just for fun. Even the Lakers' typically barren bench, led by Taurean Prince's 14 points, was respectably prolific. Of course by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

34 min listen

Lakers Beat Sixers 101-94, Behind 23/19 from Anthony Davis. D'Angelo Russell sets Franchise Record.: It was not exactly the sort of inspired, confidence building effort the Lakers probably hoped for, but in the end it was enough for LA to get what it needed—a win. They beat the visiting, and badly slumping, Philadelphia 76ers 101-94 Friday night at the Crypt. The game was tight throughout, until down the stretch when the Lakers pushed the pedal down a little harder than the Sixers could manage. There were some notable performances, starting with Anthony Davis and his 23/19 line. Spencer Dinwiddie had his best game as a Laker (by a lot), playing high end defense while chipping in with 11 points in 23 minutes. There were even more subpar ones, however. LeBron James was inefficient and a turnover machine (TK overall). D'Angelo and Rui Hachimura weren't exactly models of consistent production, either. Outside of Dinwiddie's points, the Lakers had only five more from the bench. And th by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

15 min listen

Should the Lakers Make Cam Reddish a Starter Again? Plus, Back Surgery for Jalen-Hood Schifino.: The Lakers still have designs on moving up in the Western Conference, and the narrowest of windows in which to get it done. There are opportunities. The Suns, for example, have an insanely brutal schedule over their last 10 games, and the Lakers do own the tiebreaker against Phoenix. Sacramento is still in reach, and has a harder schedule than LA. But if the Lakers want to make any of this happen - and want to avoid the possibility of dropping to 10th, or even worse, open the door for a red hot Houston Rockets team, tonight's game at home against a moribund Philadelphia 76ers is simply one they should win, and must win. Must, must, must. Must. And it's those "should win" games where the Lakers have tended to struggle, playing down to the level of competition. Can't happen tonight. Meanwhile, the Lakers announced that Jalen Hood-Schifino will undergo a procedure to repair a disc issu by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

34 min listen

Cam Reddish Returning, but do the Lakers Have a Problem With Their Training Staff? Plus, Spencer Dinwiddie's Role.: It's a day of problems, here at Locked On Lakers. On Wednesday's show, the the long run of injuries was a major focus, with a lot of attention paid to sorting out who might be coming back from injury and when, and what that means for the Lakers as they try to win games. For today, there is some injury-related news—Cam Reddish practiced Wednesday and is expected to be back for Friday's game against Philadelphia, giving the Lakers some badly needed defensive presence and size on the wing—but the conversation turned towards the guys who take care of the players. This year has been very problematic for the team, outside of the two guys (LeBron James, Anthony Davis) who everyone expected would miss a ton of games. Of course, those guys have their own dudes responsible for their health... which could point more towards the training staff, because seemingly everyone else on by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

Report: Christian Wood to have Surgery, but Vincent, Reddish Close to Return. Vanderbilt Still Up in the Air.: The Lakers Have Reinforcements On the Way... Maybe? Plus, LeBron On His Basketball IQ Many things related to the ability of the Lakers to make a run at the end of the year, and potentially into the playoffs, have to do with knowing who might be available to play. To that end, Monday was a fairly instructive day... kinda, sorta. We did learn, though not from the team, that PF/C Christian Wood's knee is going to keep him out weeks longer, possibly through the end of the season. So that's not good. There was conflicting information about Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt. While some reports said that both would miss the rest of the year, others noted that Vincent expects to play again and is working his way back. For his part, Darvin Ham spoke about both in a manner that implied the team is expecting both to suit up before the end of the season. Clearly, though, Vanderbilt is by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

Lakers Beat Down Hawks 136-105 as Anthony Davis Returns, D'Angelo Russell Ties Franchise Record: On Monday, we discussed how the Lakers were entering a critical stretch of games that could make or break the quest to, at minimum, maintain the nine seed in the play-in standings, if not actually rise higher. Why? Because most of these games, starting with tonight's against Atlanta, are against bad opponents. Thus, it was critical to immediately bag a win. Well, 136-105 over the Hawks certainly fits that bill. Just as importantly, Anthony Davus returned to the lineup after leaving Saturday's loss to the Warriors with an eye injury. He'd been listed as questionable leading up to the game, and there had been some worries about whether, at minimum, he wouldn't be able to suit up for his one. Instead, he dominated to the tune of 22/15/6. In the meantime, D'Angelo Russell's 27 points featured six made threes, tying him with Nick Van Exel for the franchise's single season for record three-poin by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

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LOCKED ON LAKERS -- 12/21/16 --What should the Lakers do if Larry Nance, Jr. misses significant time?

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