Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

How did that happen? People will be trying to figure out exactly what happened for a while, but the bottom line is this: Down six without the ball and under :30 seconds left to play, the Lakers managed to tie the game and then win it in OT. They beat the Houston Rockets in Houston, 112-108 to take a 3-0 lead in the series. 

They'll try to close it out Sunday in Houston. 

LeBron James led the way with 29, including a critical triple to tie the game. Marcus Smart had 21 points to go with 10 assists, five steals and a pair of blocks. Rui Hachimura was red hot out of the gate, and finished with 22. 

It was a stunning collapse by the Rockets, no doubt, but one that was made possible by consistent high-end effort from the Lakers. They didn't quit on the game, and were richly rewarded. 

And it looks like Austin Reaves could be available for Game 4 on Sunday, too. 

Things are, to say the least, looking good. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

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Before the team headed out to Houston for Friday's Game 3, center Deandre Ayton met with the media and talked about his excitement not just at playing defense in this series, but playing incredibly versatile defense, not just against centers but one through five on switches.

Ayton does move well in space, and obviously needs to prove his ability to follow through and do this at a high level, but more than anything, it reflects his investment in doing the right things for the Lakers, and trying to meet the moment and what the team needs from him, especially with Luka and Reaves sidelined. It frustrates some fans (and media like) that Ayton seems to need these sorts of affirmations, and that the team has had to do so much legwork to get him into a mindset like this, and then keep him there.

It would be great if Ayton arrived with the proverbial Mamba Mentality, but that's not how he's wired. But over the course of the year, with some ups and downs, the Lakers have managed to get real buy in from Ayton, and it's translating to performance at the right moment. In a lot of ways, whether reflecting the team culture instilled by JJ Redick and Co., or individual support from guys like Marcus Smart.

So how does that translate into Friday's game?

And what else should folks be looking for as the Lakers try to take an even more commanding lead?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers, already riding high with a 2-0 lead in their series against the Houston Rockets as the show travels to Texas for Friday's Game 3, got a nice boost with the news that Austin Reaves, out with an oblique injury, has been upgraded to Questionable. That doesn't mean he'll play - and with the series lead the Lakers might choose to give him a little more time to heal, even if he could suit up Friday - but just the listing is going to rightly excite Lakers fans. 

Meanwhile, the Rockets are listing Kevin Durant as questionable, this time with an ankle injury. It seems like a long shot that he'd actually sit, but given that he's already nursing a knee injury, anything that limits him further is not great for a struggling Houston team. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers are winning the series in part because they're winning what JJ Redick calls "the little battles." 

"There’s a natural flow to the series where the team that wins can relax a little bit and the team that loses comes out and plays with more desperation. I thought our guys at least matched their sense of desperation. Our second efforts, all that stuff. You’ve got to win a bunch of little fights, that can be your catch position, that can be your screens, that can be creating separation, that can be boxing out. But this team requires you to win a bunch of little fights.”

This is a team that needs to be good at that stuff anyway, but without two stars, they need to be even more attentive, and have been for sure. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

SEGMENT 1: Reaves upgraded, Durant downgraded. 

 

SEGMENT 2: Winning the little battles. 

 

SEGMENT 3: What to watch for in Game 3. 

 

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If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

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In a series where the Lakers came in as heavy underdogs, the Lakers now have a 2-0 lead heading into Game 2 in Houston. 

So are they now series favorites? 

A lot goes into that. Are the Lakers playing above their heads right now? Do you think Houston's offense can improve? if so, how much? Insofar as the Lakrs are concerned, it should be heartening to see that, while maybe the shotmaking has been a little elevated, there's little LA is doing that feels unsustainable, and the discipline and confidence with which they're playing seems unlikely to waver, even if Houston takes a game or two. Which they probably will at some point. 

These Lakers are guys who have been in the playoffs, and are less likely to be rattled by them. And it's helpful too to know the Rockets have a clear weakness. In a Round 2 against OKC, maybe you need more luck. But against the Rockets? 

And that Houston D, is it even as good as advertised? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

 

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If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

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Gametime

Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.

 

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Before things kicked off in their series against the Houston Rockets, the hosts of this space were confident in one thing: The Lakers would set a bar and make the Rockets clear it to beat them. LA is too resilient and composed to fall apart and fold. 

The expectation, though, was that the Rockets would have enough talent on hand to put down those plucky Lakers in five or six. 

Well... not so far! The Lakers have indeed set an admirably high bar, but the Rockets haven't even come close to coming over it. In fact, Houston has been borderline inept on the offensive end, leaving them down 2-0 heading into Friday's Game 3. So can the Rockets change their fortunes? Are they actually that bad, or is some positive regression inevitable? And what about the Lakers? How much more upside is available to them, particularly on offense? 

The Lakers aren't going to quit setting a standard Houston is going to have to exceed. Do these Rockets have it in them to get it done? 

We break it down with Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets in another postseason crossover episode! 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Jackson Gatlin.

 

SEGMENT 1: Why are the Lakers up 2-0? 

 

SEGMENT 2: Is the Rockets offense really this bad? 

 

SEGMENT 3: What comes next? 

 

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

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Download the PrizePicks app today and use codeLOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.
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Indeed

Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

Gametime

Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.

 

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)

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