Anthony Davis Fuels Improbable Lakers Win Over Pacers... And Snubbed for the All-Star Game?

The Lakers have lost plenty of games this season that they ought to have won. They've lost a couple of games they should have won, if not for some unfortunate calls at the end of games.

What they haven't done much this year is win games they really had no business winning. Finding a way, grinding it out, and getting just enough great play in the critical moments to succeed. That's exactly what happened Thursday in Indiana, when the Lakers, down for about 46 minutes and change, pulled ahead in the end and beat the Pacers 112-111. It was a game the Lakers were outscored by 30 points on 3-pointers. They missed eight fourth quarter free throws. The defense, save the fourth quarter, was lacking. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both had decent statistical nights, but weren't exactly dominant ... until each (especially Davis) came up with huge moments at the end.

And with that win, the Lakers have a chance to finish this road trip, which started so horribly with the loss in Boston followed by the scheduled loss to Brooklyn, at 3-2 if they can beat the Pelicans on Saturday. Davis talked about finishing in the top six, outside the play in, and thanks to a very cooperative Western Conference, that's still very much in play for a Lakers team that remains three games below .500.

Meanwhile, Darvin Ham put Russell Westbrook back into the game for the final five minutes. In his explanation as to why, he talked about Westbrook's performance in critical areas through the game, his attitude, and ultimately called it a no-brainer. And he paired him with Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder, the lineup fans detest seeing at this point.

So did it hurt? Has that trio been as destructive as fans tend to think?

Finally, Davis came up with two massive, game-saving plays late. First, a terrifyingly difficult fadeaway jumper over Myles Turner, then a swat on Tyrese Halliburton as the Pacers were trying to take the lead again. This on the day he was left off - snubbed? - the Western Conference All-Star squad. Did the NBA folks responsible for this make the right call?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers steal a game in Indiana, and may have changed the direction of their season.

SEGMENT 2: Ham inserted Westbrook at the end of the game... and calls it a "no-brainer."

SEGMENT 3: Was Anthony Davis snubbed? The Pacers probably think so.

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