Let's face it, the Lakers put themselves in a position where winning their series against the Denver Nuggets would be very, very, VERY challenging after they blew a 20-point lead in Denver to fall down 0-2. 

But to even have a shred of hope, Game 3 had to be a win. 

It wasn't. 

The Lakers dropped yet another game to the Nuggets, this time by a 112-105 final score. Once again the Lakers got off to a solid start, going up by as much as 12, and once again Denver came back. In relatively short order, the Nuggets ate up the deficit and built themselves a lead. And given how much trouble the Lakers have had scoring points this series, the idea they could make up a 10-plus point gap felt... unlikely. 

For LA, Anthony Davis, like he did in Game 1, did his part and then some, finishing with 33 points and 15 rebounds. LeBron James was solid (26/6/9), but three turnovers—including two in a critical stretch in the third quarter—hurt. But after them? Austin Reaves had the most misleading 22 points in NBA history (hitting four shots and scoring 10 points in the final two minutes, after the game was out of reach). Rui Hachimura was, again, invisible. Five points, two rebounds. D'Angelo Russell was awful, managing to miss all of his shots (including 0-6 from 3). Zero points on the night. 

Zero!

So now the Lakers are down 3-0, and will need to do something that's never been done. Non't know yet if the Lakers have even a shred of belief that they could be the team to pull it off, especially against a team as good as the Nuggets. Probably doesn't matter, but could very well influence whether the Lakers go home for good on Saturday in Game 4. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose Game 3. 

SEGMENT 2: The offense, again, failed the Lakers. 

SEGMENT 3: The issues with the supporting cast this series are stark. 

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The biggest headline to emerge from the total collapse of Game 2, where the Lakers allowed a 20-point second half lead to disappear, was after, when Anthony Davis said the Lakers have stretches on both sides of the ball where they don't know what they're doing. 

This was a very pointed criticism, to say the least. 

Wednesday, Darvin Ham was asked about AD's comments and ... made it worse. ""I just think sometimes the plays don't turn out the way you think they should. The frustration sets in a little bit. But I don't think it's, for us, not being organized. I think I have incredibly talented coaches all along my staff and we pride ourselves on, whether it's a practice or shootaround, games, whatever, we pride ourselves on being highly efficient and organization. So I would just chalk that up to being frustrated, you know it's an emotional game the way it ended and all of that. But I'll agree to disagree on that one."

It hit all the high notes of terrible responses. It was dismissive of AD's premise. It showed no accountability, while by extension turning that accountability back to the players. And third, with that last sentence he basically said his star player was wrong. In public. That he didn't know what he was talking about. 

It's often very easy to overreact to what coaches say, because what they say to us isn't the same as what they say to the players. This isn't one of those times. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers need to make some adjustments in Game 3. One of them is finding a way to get Rui Hachimura going, because his performance through two games isn't close to good enough. One potential problem? He's just not getting the ball enough. Rui's touches are way down, relative to the regular season. How much of that is scheme? How much is Denver's defense? 

And finally, reinforcements aren't coming. Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt? Didn't do contact work at practice Wednesday and while that doesn't mean they absolutely can't play... it makes it highly, highly unlikely. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Darvin Ham stepped in it. And it matters. 

SEGMENT 2: Why Ham's comments reflect a problem he's had all year. 

SEGMENT 3: Rui Hachimura isn't touching the ball enough in this series. Why? 

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Monday was a brutal night all around for the Lakers. They blew a 20-point lead in Denver against the Nuggets in Game 2, and while it doesn't end their chances of winning the series it certainly does some very serious damage to their hopes. Psychologically, too, blowing a 20-point second half lead is not an easy thing to recover from. 

But that's what the Lakers have to do, and if they're going to be successful they have to figure out how to keep the offense from experiencing the long stretches of stagnation that have plagued them through the first two games. Monday, as Denver started to chip away at the lead, the Lakers became excruciatingly slow. Maybe it was because they were trying to bleed the clock? Maybe they were just looking to slow things down as Denver was building momentum? Maybe LeBron was tired, and needed to conserve energy? 

How about a lack of confidence in what they were trying to do, after a regular season where the time spent building good habits was lacking. 

Maybe a little of all of it. But the end result is a team that got stuck in the mud, especially relative to a first half where they were fast up the floor and into their sets/choices. Even when the Lakers did manage to run an organized offense in the final 24 minutes, it often took them too long to get into it, and the results were the same. (Meaning bad.) 

No wonder Anthony Davis was so upset after the game, when he said rather pointedly that the Lakers go through long stretches where they simply don't know what they're doing, on both sides of the ball. That was, by most, seen as a shot at Darvin Ham and the coaching staff. And likely it was. 

But was AD talking about his teammates, too? 

Finally, the Lakers have some reinforcements coming, as early as Thursday. Christian Wood (likely) and Jarred Vanderbilt (possibly) could very well return to the lineup after extended absences. The Lakers badly need their size and rebounding, but can either of them really contribute after so much time on the sidelines? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: What went wrong in Game 2? Start with the slow pace of play in the 2nd half. What did it reveal about their confidence? 

SEGMENT 2: Anthony Davis unloads. 

SEGMENT 3: Could reinforcements actually help the Lakers? 

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For most of Monday's Game 2 in Denver, the Lakers were in position to send the series back to Los Angeles tied at 1 game each. At points, it looked like they were guaranteed to do it, pushing their lead up to 20 in the second half. 

But little by little, Denver chipped away. LA's offense went into a near full hibernation in the second half (38 points) and while they did manage to get a few big buckets down the stretch — a pair of triples from LeBron, a drive and finish from D'Angelo Russell, a baseline jumper from Austin Reaves — it wasn't nearly enough to make up for the loooooooooong stretches of totally stagnant, ineffective offense. Tied on the last possession, the Nuggets put the ball in Jamal Murray's hands and let him do what Murray does. Stepback jumper over Davis. Game. 101-99, Denver up 2-0, Lakers on life support. 

The Lakers got a superhuman effort from Anthony Davis in the first half, especially. Russell bounced back from a horrible Game 1 to hit seven triples. LeBron was huge in the fourth quarter on both sides of the ball, despite fighting fatigue. 

But there were enough mistakes and poor performances; Rui Hachimura again was a non-factor, Spencer Dinwiddie and Gabe Vincent combined for zero points in 25 minutes. Darvin Ham missed a chance to challenge what appeared to be a ticky-tack foul on LeBron against Murray down the stretch. Reaves had a critical turnover down the stretch, and Davis faded late. 

This was, in every practical sense, a must-win game. LeBron certainly played like he knew it. Any loss in this game would have been hard to recover from, emotionally. This one, however, was brutal. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers blow a huge lead in the second half, and the season is on life support. 

SEGMENT 2: Too many little mistakes, too many performances that weren't up to standard.

SEGMENT 3: The Lakers might get some reinforcements, but are they coming too late? 

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Saturday's Game 1 in Denver was undoubtedly disappointing, and once again put in stark relief the challenge facing the Lakers against the team most experts expect to represent the West in the NBA Finals this year. 

It also makes tonight's Game 2 a must-win, because the odds of this Lakers team showing enough high-end consistency to beat the Nuggets four times in five tries feels... unrealistic. So it's about breaking through tonight, and proving to themselves as much as everyone else that it's possible for the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Denver Nuggets. So what has to get better? For starters, the offense has to function much more efficiently throughout the game. No minutes-long stretches where the shot selection is bad or turnovers throw the offense off kilter, or playcalling and structure go the way of the dodo. Because the Lakers lost that game offensively, not on D. 

Next, the best players on the team simply have to be better. Save Anthony Davis, more or less, everyone else has stuff that needs to improve. Obviously D'Angelo Russell's efficiency has to go way up. But Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have to be better. LeBron James needs to be a bigger presence in the fourth quarter. Bench players need to shoot. 

The Lakers have played Denver tight for long stretches over this losing streak. But time has run out on finding a way to win. It's gotta happen tonight. 

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is not a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Lakers fans are ticked, and ought to be. But it's reflective of the ways in which the bar moves for Davis. At this point, it's fair to say that whatever he does for whatever he might be given credit for, it's not going to be enough. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: What the Lakers need to fix in Game 2. 

SEGMENT 2: Darvin steps in it, again. Plus, pick it up, Russell!!!

SEGMENT 3: Why wasn't Anthony Davis a finalist for DPOY? 

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The Lakers, as LeBron James noted before the series against Denver kicked off Saturday with Game 1, will need to play near-flawless basketball to move past the Nuggets into the second round. 

Fair to say on Saturday they didn't clear the bar in their 114-103 loss.

It wasn't all terrible. The Lakers actually led by double digits in the second quarter before Denver came roaring back. Still, LA led by three at the half. But in the second half, the Lakers fell apart offensively. Completely and totally. 43 points just isn't going to get it done. And overall, the offensive effort had too many massive holes. Start with a 6-20, 1-9 night from D'Angelo Russell. But Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were total non-factors. The Lakers had one bench player (Taurean Prince) score. Even worse, the Lakers only had one bench player shoot. 

LeBron, while productive overall, was a non-factor in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over seven times. The Lakers were under 28% from 3. 

Anthony Davis answered the bell with 32/14/5, plus four blocks, and Prince off the bench was a nice boost. Not everything was bad for the Lakers, but Denver is elite, and won't do you any favors to help win games. You have to beat them. 

If the Lakers are going to have a chance, they have to win Game 2 on Monday. It's hard to see them, or anyone, beating Denver four times in five tries. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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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 of the seven have been inside five points with four or so minutes to play. Some even closer than that. 

So if the Lakers can figure out how to solve those last few minutes, they're in it. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers are healthier than they were (in non-Jarred Vanderbilt ways) last season. They get more days off in between games. Basically, they're more likely to win playing Denver now than they do in five weeks, in a hypothetical conference final. 

It's ok to be optimistic, Lakers fans! 

This, of course, is dependent on Anthony Davis picking things up a little to match the production of Nikola Jokic. It's not that AD has been bad, it's just that he hasn't been quite as good as his averages, this season. 

So while nobody is picking the Lakers, they shouldn't be writing them off, either. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Reasons for Lakers fans to be optimistic about their chances against the Nuggets. 

SEGMENT 2: MORE reasons to be optimistic about their chances. 

SEGMENT 3: This, of course, if Anthony Davis can close the gap a little between him and Jokic. 

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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 (12-36 combined from the floor). The Lakers as a team didn't crack 42% from the floor. But they didn't turn the ball over (eight total TOs), they were solid from 3-point range (over 40%), and they made their FTs (26-29, including 9-9 in the fourth quarter). 

And most importantly, other guys stepped up, whether D'Angelo Russell with big early production combined with a critical steal and a clutch corner triple, or Gabe Vincent playing high end defense and scoring nine points (which doesn't soundn like much until you remember he had seven over his last six games combined.) 

The Lakers had to grind this one out. They had to play defense. They had to hit their free throws down the stretch. They had to win without the best performances from their stars. It was, in short, a fantastic dress rehearsal for what's coming. 

But for now, rest. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers beat New Orleans, advance to face Denver. 

SEGMENT 2: The supporting cast picked up the stars in a big team win. 

SEGMENT 3: Gabe Vincent steps up, D'Angelo Russell has a challenge in front of him. 

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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 James, either. And meanwhile, as Sunday showed, they're not rich in guys who match up well with Anthony Davis. 

On the other hand, the Pelicans have been, at least until a bit of an injury-induced lull at the end of the year, among the best teams in the conference for much of the second half. There is plenty of talent there, and no shortage of shooting. 

So what's going to happen? We break it down in a fantastic crossover episode with Jake Madison, host of Locked On Pelicans. 

What are the matchups to watch? How might the Pelicans turn things around against LA? What are the big strategic plays available for both teams? 

Plus, should either group be looking to tank the game in order to change their odds for a longer playoff run? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Jake Madison

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get another crack at the Pels, after throttling them good three out of four games this year. 

SEGMENT 2: LeBron vs. Zion. 

SEGMENT 3: How the Pelicans can turn the tables on LA. 

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BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.

PrizePicksGo to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!

GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuelFanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARENTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – win or lose! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON 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)