The Lakers brought a different look to the floor Tuesday night at the Crypt to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the ultimate result was the same as it's been for most teams against the Cavs this season: A loss. 

Cleveland ran its record to 29-4, the Lakers fall to 18-14. 

The Lakers played hard, and did some good stuff, but more than anything, the game illustrated the gap that still remains between them and the NBA's ultra-elite, a gap that was even more apparent on a night where the Lakers had to integrate two new players (Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, with Gabe Vincent in street clothes) and didn't shoot well (9-35 from downtown). The gap was apparent every time the Lakers made a push to erase multiple double-digit deficits—when the Cavs needed a bucket, they got one, showing why they're the league's best offense. (Cleveland was just a tick below 40% from 3-point range, and had five players in double figures.) 

This wasn't a bad game for the Lakers. They played hard. They had some highlights (including 35/9/10 from Austin Reaves, 28/13/4 from Anthony Davis, only nine turnovers). They did some stuff that would have bothered a lesser offensive team (Max Christie in particular was putting in work). And at the very least, the Lakers put in a better effort than the one they delivered in Cleveland at the end of October. In the end, the game confirmed what most people already knew: The Cavs are better. 

Ultimately, a game like this can serve as a marker for a team like the Lakers, who are quality, have some ambitions, but also know they're not where they need to be. There can be value in playing well and losing, especially if the Lakers can carry the good stuff into Thursday and Friday's games (Portland and Atlanta, respectively. If they do, they'll enter the weekend 20-14. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose to Cleveland 122-110.

SEGMENT 2: New guys make their debut.

SEGMENT 3: Starting 2025 with some optimism. 

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