Your Los Angeles Lakers played the much better-rested Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening on the second night of a back-to-back, and they looked the part for three quarters. Heading into the fourth quarter, LA was down 20 points and the game felt over. But then all of a sudden, they made a comeback and even took the lead late in the game. But in the end, LA couldn’t make the big plays down the stretch and it cost them an impressive comeback win. Lakers star forward LeBron James spoke after the game about how it all went down, and he pointed out that they needed to be better to start the game.

Slow starts have become a common occurrence for the Lakers this season and it has gotten them into a lot of trouble. They have been able to come back against a few teams, but it costs them more energy than is likely needed.

It was good to see them fight back in the fourth quarter, but the game should have never been that far from them in the first place. They may have coasted to a win if they played even a little more solid in the first three quarters. LA can learn from this game, and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Head coach Darvin Ham spoke about this game after the fact and pointed out that it would be a lesson for them.

LA knows that they let a prime opportunity to get a win slip away from them again. All the team can do is move forward to their next game, and they now head out on the road for a multi-game road trip.