When the Los Angeles Lakers lost five of their first eight games this season, some felt it was evidence that they were nothing more than a top-heavy team that would do no better than reaching the play-in tournament.
But since then, things have been changing. They have now won 11 of their last 15 games, and with a 14-9 record, they have climbed into fifth place in the Western Conference. In fact, they ended Friday tied with the Denver Nuggets, who are in fourth place since they hold the tiebreaker by virtue of defeating the Lakers on opening night. In addition, L.A. is in a virtual tie with the third-place Dallas Mavericks and one game behind the second-place Oklahoma City Thunder.
The team still has issues. It is 26th in 3-point shooting and 29th in 3-point attempts, and the book on the Lakers seems to be to make it fire away from the outside.
But they have been winning with defense lately. In fact, they may be turning into a powerhouse on that end of the floor.