Lakers Sloppy Early, Lose 127-125 to Mavericks, Despite Big Game from Anthony Davis

The Lakers recent run of high end play has been defined by defensive integrity and solid execution. In Dallas on Tuesday, the Lakers were short on both, particularly early. LA was sloppy with the ball, turning the ball over far too frequently early. They missed a ton of layups. And they didn't execute on the defensive side with the same level of precision as they had in recent games against Indiana, New Orleans and Phoenix. Some of that could be due to the absence of Jared Vanderbilt, who missed the game with back spasms, but not all of it. The Lakers actually scored 35 points in the second quarter... and actually lost ground. Not great, Bob! A huge third quarter in which the Lakers actually took care of the ball AND tightened up on D allowed them to take a lead, but they could sustain it. One reason? The Mavs got incredibly good three point shooting, not only from the guys you might expect (Grant Williams, a solid 3-point guy, was 5-7, Tim Hardaway Jr., 38% on the season, was 5-10) but from the guys you absolutely do not expect (Dante Exum, a 29% shooter from beyond the arc, was 7-9). So should Darvin Ham have changed tactics? It's a fun question - when do you decide to change tactics, even if the thing you're abandoning is almost surely the right move, based on percentages? Meanwhile, the Lakers have a game tonight in San Antonio. Anthony Davis is once again nursing that groin/abdomen thing. LeBron has put in way more work than anyone wants, frankly. So should either/both of them sit against a 3-win Spurs squad? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers can't fully overcome early sloppiness in Dallas. SEGMENT 2: Should Darvin have switched his game plan? SEGMENT 3: Who plays in San Antonio? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Dave.com Dave is the financial app that's leveling the financial playing field. Download Dave today at Dave.com/LOCKEDONNBA. You could get up to $500 in 5 minutes or less! No credit check. No late fees.  eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices