Lakers enter season-defining stretch against tougher competition

All due respect to the short-handed Warriors. And the league-worst Kings. And the feisty-but-still-mediocre Pelicans. But the Lakers were supposed to win those games.  And that isn’t meant to take credit away from the Lakers — or the three-game winning streak they’re on after Tuesday’s home victory over the Pelicans.  Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka...