The Lakers, once again, came into Saturday's game in Utah (the hottest team in the NBA) with disruption to the lineup. LeBron James sat with the ankle problem that's been bothering him all year. Rui Hachimura was back... but on a minutes restriction. Once the game started, Cam Reddish once again had to leave early, playing only 11 minutes.

Continuity, she has been incredibly hard to find.

And it's possible more changes are coming, because D'Angelo Russell's 39 points, on top of solid play over his last few games, might be enough to push him back into the starting lineup. And if Reddish has to miss time, maybe Jared Vanderbilt ends up back with the starters, too?

Or maybe Max Christie gets promoted?

The point being, the Lakers are 40 games in, two games under .500, off the playoff ladder ... and no real identity around how they're going to win games. As Russell said after, when the defense is good the offense is bad. When the offense is good, the defense is bad. They can't seem to align good stuff at the same time.

Or haven't for a while.

Saturday, even the triple double of Anthony Davis didn't quite align with what the Lakers needed. Yes, he had 14 rebounds, 11 assists and four blocks, but he also missed 16 of 21 shots, which was more than the Lakers could absorb, especially with James on the sidelines.

It's not fair, but it's reality.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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