In the first half of Tuesday's 107-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the Crypt, it looked like the Luka Dončić revenge game people expected to see (punishing the team that didn't just trade him, but badmouthed him on the way out of Texas) would be something that might end up on the Mt. Rushmore of revenge games. Luka was near a triple double before the halftime buzzer. The second half was a little slower. The emotional output this game generated—and clearly Luka was keyed up for this one a level or three above normal—cost him some legs down the stretch. So the final result was just a perfectly satisfying, run-of-the-mill revenge game. Dončić got his first trip-dub as a Laker, and more importantly, the Lakers got another win, their eighth in their last 10. After the game, Luka was asked if the game brought him any closure. His answer probably surprised people. No, he said, because it's going to take time. Closure for something like this doesn't happen overnight. It's a reminder not only that it's a process for Luka to figure out how to play with LeBron James and Austin Reaves, or to absorb JJ Redick's system offensively and learn the assignments on the other end. It's also an adjustment personally. He lives in a different city. Has a different routine. All the stuff that was totally normal in Dallas isn't in Los Angeles. Yes, Luka has all the resources a person could have to help him adjust. But he's still a person, and this was still a massive life upheaval. So for the Lakers to keep winning, to keep building confidence and putting some down some decent film (as they did on Tuesday in the first half and fourth quarters, especially) is extremely promising. To continue holding opponents right around 100 points, as they did for the fourth straight game Tuesday night, has to build confidence. This is the transition period, not the part where you'd expect the new-look Lakers to be reaching wherever their ceiling happens to be. The brutal stretch of games continues Thursday against Minnesota, followed by a pair of tough games against the Clippers. March's schedule is cartoonishly hard. And where it might have seemed like a threat a couple months ago, now it's likely Lakers fans are excited at what's to come. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Luka trip-dubs as LA beats Dallas. SEGMENT 2: LeBron blows up in the fourth quarter. SEGMENT 3: Contributions up and down the roster. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! RobinhoodWith Robinhood Gold, you can now enjoy the VIP treatment. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. To receive 3% boost on annual IRA contributions,  sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Door DashThey Swoosh, You Save: when any player scores 50 or more points in a game during the 24/25 NBA regular season, DashPass members save 50% on an order, up to $10 off with promo code NBA50. 50% Off 1 Order (Up to $10 Off) Offer valid from 9:00 AM PT through 11:59 PM PT after a 50 point performance in any game during the NBA season on orders placed at participating merchant locations. Valid only in the United States. Maximum value of discount is $10.00. Discount applies to subtotal only; does not apply to fees, taxes, and gratuity. Not valid for pickup. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Must have an active DashPass account. Use promo code NBA50 to redeem. See further terms and conditions at https://drd.sh/8ONpZP/. FanDuelRight now, new FanDuel customers can get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)