Monday vs. Knicks Begins Critical, Difficult Stretch for Lakers. Plus, Is Backup Center a Problem?

The Lakers are 15-11. That's the good news. The bad? That record is only good enough for 8th in the Western Conference, and after a 1-2 trip through Texas, which included one game in Dallas against a Kyrie Irving-less Mavs team, then consecutive games in San Antonio, the Lakers now have a very difficult stretch of schedule in front of them. Four of their next five games are against teams above .500, including two against Minnesota and Oklahoma City, the top two teams in the Western Conference. The Lakers get Boston on Christmas, and have more tough games to follow. If, as Darvin Ham has suggested, the Lakers are feeling a little bit of post-IST fatigue, they need to get past it fast, because there's just no time for slumps in the West. Not for teams with aspirations of finishing in the top half of the playoff bracket. Meanwhile, did the trip through Texas reveal a shortcoming in the Lakers' rotation? Namely, do they have the sort of backup center that really fills their needs? Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood have, by all accounts, tried to fill the roles they've been asked to fill, and some moments have looked better than others. But Wood particularly hasn't been able to hit his stride, and does seem to be struggling with his fit. There's not quite enough space to fill what has been his historic role as a scorer, and the Lakers haven't been able to make things work on the defensive side. Hayes has found a niche as a vertical threat at the basket and high energy player... but fouls so frequently it's hard to keep him on the floor. Would a more traditional rim protecting center, even one with real offensive shortcomings, give the Lakers more of what they need? Is this the type of move fans should expect, as opposed to big splashy trades? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Monday's game vs. the Knicks kicks off a rough stretch for the Lakers. SEGMENT 2: If there was ever a stretch of games to get the team dialed back in, this is it. SEGMENT 3: Do the Lakers nee a different backup C? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 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. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. 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