It came down to millimeters. Did LeBron James's shoe graze the edge of the 3-point line in a shot that would have tied the game, but instead left the Lakers down one? Or was it a clean 3? LeBron certainly thought it was the latter, and so did Darvin Ham.

They're not the most impartial judges, no question, but in the end the result was a 108-106 loss to the Wolves. The Lakers just couldn't generate enough offense outside of their stars to overcome the West's best team on their home floor, but once again played an excellent defensive game. And it was led by Anthony Davis, who played perhaps his best game of the season (in a season with many good candidates), torching former DPOY Rudy Gobert for 37 points to go along with 17 rebounds, 8 assists, four steals and two blocks. He was EVERYWHERE, and is playing at an MVP level.

There were a lot of things to like for the Lakers, the final score notwithstanding. The effort and energy were top shelf. The new starting lineup had their best minutes together, by a lot.

But in the end, it was another loss, and if the Lakers don't win Sunday against the Pelicans, they'll end 2023 as a .500 team.

That's not where they want to be.

LeBron, who was sick all day Saturday, said he wasn't sure how Sunday would look. And D'Angelo Russell left Saturday's game with a bruised tailbone. So, and you may have heard this before, the Lakers could be shorthanded against the Pels.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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