Despite securing the top spot in the Western Conference, the Lakers were in no way complacent. In their next four away games, the Lakers would face top pick and roll combinations in the league. The game on March 15th between the Lakers and the Hornets would be the first test. After that, they would also challenge the Rockets, Mavericks, and Jazz in turn.
On March 15th, the Lakers lost 98-108 to the Hornets in an away game.