The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off the most impressive two games stretch any team has this year after beating the Bucks and Clippers over the weekend. The team is playing great basketball and will have a chance to reach 50 wins if they are able to beat the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center. On paper, it’s a clear advantage for the Lakers, but there is potential for some challenges.
Going against a sub .500 Nets team who just fired their coach is a shift in intensity compared to their two previous games. It’s easy to imagine a scenario where the Lakers are unable to get up for what is a clear mismatch. This could be one of those games where the Lakers barely clear the bar and leave Staples with an unimpressive win.
It was possible that we might not see the team at full strength, as it was announced on Monday that LeBron was questionable with a sore groin. The decision to not have LeBron play tonight would have made sense, as the Nets are currently reeling without their head coach and without Kyrie Irving. However, LeBron announced early today that he would in fact be playing (per Mike Trudell of the Lakers/Spectrum SportsNet).
LeBron said he’s planning on playing tonight. He’s officially listed as questionable.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 10, 2020
In terms of on the court match up, this Nets team is diminished but not talentless. Their two stars in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are out for the season with injuries, but this team still has a lot of nice talent. Caris LeVert is a good player and recently scored 51 points against the Celtics. The Nets also have nice young talents like Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen who could give the Lakers problems.
The Lakers should be able to win this one with little effort, especially due to LeBron saying that he will definitely play. The Lakers have not reached 50 wins in a long time. Reaching that number so early in the season would be special, and I hope the Lakers realize that too and show up to play.
The Lakers are entering the stretch run of the season. They have already proven how good of a team they are and are undoubtedly title contenders. Will they show up and take care of business against the Nets? Make sure to tune in tonight at 7:30 PM PST to find out.