But the Lakers — they’re lucky, lucky to be in Boston on Saturday to fight the Celtics, one of the NBA’s best rivalries pitting them against one of the NBA’s best teams in one of the NBA’s best environments.
They’re lucky, because even in a 125-121 overtime loss, their 50th game of the season, the Lakers’ decision makers can see what this team is. And, more importantly, what this team isn’t.
When will LeBron James become NBA’s all-time leading scorer?
A look at LeBron James’ pursuit of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring record.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar points: 38,387
LeBron James points: 38,269
Points from record: 119 points
Projected games until record: 5
Projected record date: Feb. 7 vs. Thunder
LeBron James, looking more and more like a player who will smash through the NBA’s all-time scoring record next week, dominated the game with scoring, rebounding and passing. He finished with 41 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
The team, which got Anthony Davis back from injury and had Rui Hachimura available for the first time Wednesday, added Lonnie Walker IV to the rotation on Saturday after he missed the previous 14 games.
And with Patrick Beverley in rhythm and Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schroder fully integrated after thumb surgeries delayed their debuts, a more complete picture of the Lakers’ possibilities is being painted.
Beverley, in particular, had a huge impact on the game, helping harass Jayson Tatum before hitting a go-ahead three and a go-ahead dunk in the final minute of regulation.
Still, the cracks are there.
The team didn’t get a key whistle at the end of regulation when LeBron James attacked the rim, and the fallout carried into overtime. After the play, James hopped up and down on the court, stunned he didn’t get the call.
Before that, the Lakers’ showed other signs of their weakening composure Saturday.
Beverley’s missed free throw in the final minute of the fourth kept the Lakers from icing the game — much like misses from the line cost them wins against Philadelphia and Boston earlier in the season.
The Lakers gave up a key offensive rebound allowing Jaylen Brown to score and get fouled, tying the game with a free throw and 4.1 seconds left on the clock.
The offensive rebound came after a defensive miscommunication gave Al Horford a clean look at a game-tying three — that he missed badly.
The Lakers’ emotionality continued to be an issue, Beverley grabbing a camera and showing it to an official after the end of regulation. He instantly was called for a technical, giving the Celtics a free point at the line to start overtime.
And there are still the questions about Russell Westbrook and his place within the Lakers’ formula for winning and the persistent shooting concerns that should arise anytime the questions about the Lakers’ ability to seriously contend for anything other than an early playoff exit.
Against the Celtics, Westbrook struggled — the crowd egging him on to shoot. He started 0-for-6 before scoring his first points from the free-throw line. He finished regulation on the bench, sitting for the entirety of the fourth with eight points, seven assists and five turnovers.
But upon entry in overtime, Westbrook sparked the Lakers with a tip-in while drawing a foul. He made the free throw, plus two more after drawing a flagrant foul.
Then, he missed a corner three and, on the next possession, a reverse layup. Westbrook finished with 12 points.