Lakers’ Lineup Changes Lead to Convincing Win Over the Spurs

SAN ANTONIO —  It was almost 4 a.m. Wednesday when the Lakers arrived at their San Antonio-area hotel, their last two losses exposing some of the worst internal fears of the team.

The way they had played in the second half of losses to Denver and Phoenix had players wondering if all the work the team had put in over the last two months had been worth it — that all the effort and time spent trying to change hadn’t mattered.

Dalton Knecht back into the starting five


When Denver pushed the familiar pressure points, the Lakers crumbled. When the offense went cold and the rims got tight in Phoenix, they folded.

Their body language said what no one dared mutter publicly: “Here we go again.”

But by the Lakers took the floor Wednesday evening, they took on the persona of their head coach, JJ Redick, who pregame said “I don’t think I’ve ever dwelled on the pass.”

Energized, in part by a new starting five, and in part, by a fresh chance to get back to winning, the Lakers played one of their most consistent games of the season on both ends of the court in a 119-101 win against the Spurs.

Redick moved rookie Dalton Knecht back into the starting five, moving Cam Reddish to the bench, and the group responded by winning each of the four quarters.

Redick moved rookie Dalton Knecht back into the starting five, moving Cam Reddish to the bench, and the group responded by winning each of the four quarters.

The Lakers NBA Cup chances are still alive, but they need a win on Friday against Oklahoma City (while needing the Spurs to upset the Suns).

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