Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder took over the fourth quarter as the Orlando Magic struggled to down the stretch. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
There is no such thing as an ideal loss. Let’s make that clear from the start.
The point of the game is to win. And every win and every loss counts the same in the end. Teams, coaches and players are judged on their record and their ability to get wins.
There is reality, however.
A team like the Los Angeles Lakers at full strength with LeBron James and Anthony Davis measures wins differently than a team like the Orlando Magic.