LeBron James, Luka Doncic React to Lakers' Loss to Bulls: We 'Control Our Own Destiny'

LeBron James and Luka Dončić didn't want to dwell much on the Los Angeles Lakers' surprisingly flat 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

Those were the most points Los Angeles has surrendered all season and presented a stark contrast from the team's generally improved defense of late.

Despite the result, the Lakers have a three-game cushion on the Los Angeles Clippers, who occupy the first play-in tournament spot in seventh place.

"We got 12 games to position ourselves in the postseason," James told reporters after the game. "We pretty much can control our own destiny if we win ballgames and not have to be in the play-in."

Dončić echoed that sentiment.

"I think we're in a great spot," he said. "Obviously, today wasn't a good game for us, but I think we're in a great spot. We've got to play hard every game to try not to get in the play-in and try to get the highest seed we can."

James' return to the lineup was another reason to accentuate the postive.

A groin strain sidelined the 21-time All-Star for six games, with L.A. going 3-3 over that stretch. He said Saturday night he was "a little rusty," shooting 7-of-16 for 17 points while adding six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Dončić scored a team-high 34 points, which were partially offset by his seven turnovers. The Lakers gave it up 21 times as a team, which Chicago turned into 27 points at the other end of the floor.

Dončić said he "can't be losing the ball seven times."

"That's way too many for me," he added.

The Lakers' surge from mid-January into early March had their fans believing a deep run in the playoffs is possible.

Avoiding the play-in will be a key ingredient in achieving those aims. Playing even one extra game can be a burden for a squad that doesn't have much depth and is leaning heavily on a 40-year-old star midway through his 22nd season.

Los Angeles doesn't want to get into a regular habit of allowing 140 points to opponents who are below .500, but lopsided defeats can happen on a given night. In the case of the Lakers, Saturday night shouldn't raise too many concerns in the bigger picture.