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Fresh off a 4 game road trip in which they lost every game and then back home into a back-to-back it would have been easy to forgive the Lakers for losing what can only be described as a trap game. No meaningful stars healthy on the Spurs (sorry CP3), 4 games in 5 days (including travel from the Mile High City) and nearly a whole rotation’s worth of injured players the Lakers could have been forgiven for penciling in the loss and laying an egg. They did not. They took care of business like a team intent on competing for a banner would do. They set about taking care of business.

1. Lakers won even though Luka couldn’t throw it in the ocean. He scored a couple baskets early and a couple baskets late but in between was an ocean of basketball that Luka couldn’t throw the ball into. Still, he played tremendous defense (3 steals and a block), greased the offensive wheels (14 assists), and rebounded well enough to come up one short of a triple-double (you guessed it…9). I’m pretty sure the Slovenian Sensation would have loved to have shot better but will take the win. Every. Single. Time. Luka’s gravity is an offense creating machine unto itself so just having him on the floor helped others score buckets to bolster the superstar.
2. Reaves is a legit star now. Nigh untouchable has been the front office credo and we’re all seeing why on a nightly basis. His ability to get into the seems and cause havoc and easy buckets or score his own is looking better and better every season. His defense has improved and his handle has become pretty lethal. Reaves slots in well with all of our line ups, big and small, and continues to have a high impact even when playing with Luka and LeBron. When one sits, Reaves amps it up appropriately. Those are incredible skillsets that aren’t really teachable. he really has an elite feel and IQ for the game and his physical gifts and skills are just catching up to that now. Next season, with a whole summer and camp? Watch out.
3. Jordan Goodwin needs a standard contract…stat. No offense to either Alex Len or Cam Reddish buuuuuuut…one of you fellers has got to go. My vote is Len but I think that, based on current roster construction, it will be Cam which is unfortunate because he won’t be eligible to join a playoff roster now. Still, we’re gonna need Goodwin in the playoffs and it’s hard to see us letting he and Hayes slip away this summer. Retaining at least one of them should be a top priority for the team and, if LeBron chooses to play next season, I could see him offering to take a very, very slight pay cut to get that done (he offered as much this season but not much came of it). Goodwin is the guard version of Vando, maybe a little less “dawg” in him as Vando is quick to step up for his teammates (he also is signed here for the next 3 seasons so he feels safe, as well). Goodwin is scrappy, energetic and an excellent defender. He’s making his shots right now which is gravy on this team and has allowed us to better withstand these late season injuries. Needs to be on the playoff roster, no other way to put it.
4. Dorian Finney-Smith. I don’t say enough about this dude and it’s high time that changed. When DFS is out, the defense takes a huge step backwards. When DFS is hitting his shots, the offense becomes even more un-guardable. He, along with Goodwin, Vando and Vincent, is one of our best defenders and is excellent at calling out coverages and screens. He’s strong, long and fast. lakers Fans have heard of these fabled “three and D” players but DFS is the first one to truly fit the bill and earn the name in purple and gold other than Hachimura.
5. Home cooking. The Lakers need to keep pushing and try and get the best possible home court advantage. They play really well at Crypto this season (27-7), they shoot more free throws at home (24.5 vs. 21.8 on the road) and who doesn’t like downtown LA to be rocking after a win? In an odd twist to this logic, Luka shoots better on the road than at home (47.6% on the road vs. 41% at home) but I stand by my assertion. The rest of the Lakers play better and we need those FTA’s. The team, overall, has a pretty mild discrepancy between home and road FG% splits (48.5% at home vs. 47.1% on the road). Free throws will matter.