As the Lakers limp into the all-star break, they know their mission: make up a 2 1/2-game difference in the Western Conference standings in order to reach the playoffs.
That goal took a hit on Tuesday, when they lost 117-113 to an Atlanta team that is 19 games under .500. They now have nine days until their next contest, which begins the final 25-game stretch of the season.
“It’s time for us to get away and reflect a little bit as a group,” coach Luke Walton said. “I think this first part of the season we’ve gone through a lot of adversity.