Lakers Beat Wizards 111-88, Celtics Ahead Next.

The Washington Wizards are a catastrophically bad basketball team. So LA's TKTKTTKT win over the Wiz Tuesday at the Crypt won't exactly change the vibe around the team. The Lakers, at 23-18 and sitting in sixth in the Western Conference, are viewed much more as a team with the second lowest point differential of any playoff/play-in team across the league than they are a legitimate threat to do anything significant in the playoffs. And it's easy to understand why. The win over Washington ran LA's record to 12-1 against teams under .500. A great mark for sure, but it's undercut by an 11-17 mark against teams above .500. That's the worst percentage among the top 10 teams in the Conference. And now it gets harder. It starts with the Celtics on Thursday. While Boston is slumping (by their standards), the Celtics are defending champions, and easily one of the league's most talented teams. And whatever focus issues they've had over the course of the year won't be a problem on Thursday. From there, the Lakers play five games on the road (dragging an 8-12 record with them) and then a sixth at Intuit against a Clippers team that thoroughly outplayed them last Sunday. Can they, at the very least, take care of the bad teams they'll see on the trip, like Charlotte and Washington? A struggling Philly team that can't keep a lineup on the floor? What about a mid Golden State team that's basically been .500 at home? A good team would, at minimum, go 3-3 over the next six. Maybe the Lakers can. Thursday's game could reveal a lot about what's to come. If the Lakers can dial up their focus and execution, that's a sign (win or lose) that the five games following it could be worth watching. But if they get blown out? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers do what's needed against the Wizards. SEGMENT 2: More PT for Dorian Finney-Smith? SEGMENT 3: Boston next. Then the road trip. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com . Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Prizepicks Now’s the perfect time to join.Download the app todayand use code LOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! TALKSPACE Therapy is a game-changer. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to Talkspace.com/LOCKEDONNBA and enter promo code SPACE80 to get $80 off your first month and show your support for the show. 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 From the first whistle to the final drive, FanDuel makes the NFL Playoffs even more exciting! Right now, new customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get THREE HUNDRED BUCKS in BONUS BETS – if you win your first bet! Visit FANDUEL.COM t o get started. Make this playoff season unforgettable with FanDuel, an official sportsbook partner of the NFL. 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) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.