The opportunity began Friday night in Boston, when the Celtics hung onto the smallest threads of their lead to beat the Sacramento Kings. It continued in New Orleans when the lowly San Antonio Spurs pulled off an upset win against the Pelicans.
With the Lakers resting at home on Friday night, they came to the arena Saturday with actual ground to gain. But after six straight games on the road and a cross-country flight back home from Washington, there were real questions about whether or not the Lakers could take advantage of it.
The first game back came on even shorter rest, the team playing their first afternoon home game of the season against a dangerous Cleveland team, which was coming off a blowout loss in Phoenix on Wednesday.