It wasn't at all pretty, but it ultimately got the job done.

Playing on the second night of a back to back, the Lakers spent the first half running in mud against an extremely shorthanded but very hard working New Orleans Pelicans squad, and found themselves down by 10 at the break. They were being out worked, first and foremost -- as JJ Redick reportedly said at halftime, the adjustment was to "get the ****ing ball," meaning loose balls, rebounds and the like. In the second half, the Lakers didn't exactly run away with it, but they did execute at a far higher level, and just as importantly started hitting shots.

The deficit was eaten up pretty quickly, and the Lakers even took a 10 point lead (that would disappear). In the end, they were simply too talented for the Pellies down the stretch.

They're now 9-4, with a chance to get to 10 against Utah at home this week. All in all, a great start.

The win was fueled by Anthony Davis (31 points) and Dalton Knecht (27 points), who hit five 3-pointers to help push LA to a win. On a night where Rui Hachimura and Cam Reddish were unavailable, Knecht showed again what he could do in the starting lineup.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Last season, the Lakers became the first team to win the NBA's in-season tournament.

That means this year, they're the first team to try and defend that title. Of course, while the in-season tournament (now the NBA Cup) was a much bigger success than most anticipated, fans certainly remember how much the Lakers struggled following the tournament. It was miserable, in part because LA clearly used a lot of energy to try and win the thing and it took a while to recover. So with their portion of the NBA Cup opening tonight in San Antonio against a quickly improving Spurs team featuring a red hot Victor Wembenyama.

But while Friday's game will get the most attention, a very solid argument can be made that Saturday's game in New Orleans is more critical. The Lakers, currently sitting at 7-4 in an extraordinarily crowded Western Conference, can't afford to give any games away. The best teams in the conference will almost certainly dominate against sub-.500 teams. Teams that fall to the bottom of the playoff ladder wil almost certainly have given away some games they shouldn't have.

A 2-0 weekend, where the Lakers play better, establish themselves as a competent road team, and add tons of optimism would be idea.

1-1, though, is the minimum.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: It's Cup time!


SEGMENT 2: The Lakers need a strong weekend.

SEGMENT 3: Let's say the Lakers were ready and willing to make a deal, likely for a big. Is there anything out there?

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To this point, the Lakers have been a very good team at home (6-0) and a very, very meh group on the road.

That made Friday's game against a solid-at-home, up-and-coming San Antonio team a big one (whether you're thinking regular season stuff, or the first game in NBA Cup pool play). LA took a punch in the mouth to start the game, but quickly got back on track defensively, finished the first quarter ahead, and stayed out front for (almost) the rest of the game.

Final score, 120-115. The Lakers run their record to 8-4, with a game against an injury-riddled New Orleans squad coming tomorrow.

This was a great game on a lot of levels. It starts with the stars. Anthony Davis finished with 40 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James, pushing 40, had his FOURTH STRAIGHT triple-double (15/16/12). Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell and Dalton Knecht all finished in double figures, as did Max Christie, pressed into service with Rui Hachimura sidelined thanks to a bum ankle.

Low bar to clear, but this was easily Christie's best game of the season. 11 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block, and a level of aggression that has not been present to this point in the season. Between him and Russell, the Lakers got real, live bench production. It can't be overstated how important that is for them.

Will Christie have a chance to build on this? With Hachimura potentially out Saturday, he could have a chance.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

Mint Mobile
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Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM 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)