All Lakers Expectations For Sunday Matinee Against Bulls
The 35-38 Chicago Bulls, who have looked significantly more coherent since adding Patrick Beverley to the mix off the buyout market, come to town for their first encounter of the season against your Los Angeles Lakers.
LA All-Star small forward LeBron James will actually return to the floor for his first stint with the club in a month.
Now, this certainly feels like a winnable bout. Let's dig in with some expert predictions.
1. How should the Lakers defend Chicago's two star wings?
DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine operate with something of a "dueling banjos" your-turn-my-turn offensive attack. There isn't a ton of cohesion or designed plays, but both players are so talented with the ball that they can essentially improvise their way into buckets. DeRozan has been dealing with a quad strain lately, so he's been a bit limited, but LaVine has been on a heater. Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers' most versatile defender, will probably be put on DeRozan, while new starting shooting guard Austin Reaves should be a good opponent for LaVine.
2. Which Laker will need to step up as a scorer sans D'Angelo Russell?
It would behoove guards Dennis Schröder (who will start for Russell) and Austin Reaves (who will remain the team's starting two-guard) to score above their season averages to help Los Angeles' attack.
3. Will LA pull off the win?
With a James return impending, the Lakers have seen their odds of securing a victory improve in Vegas. After opening the day as 4.5-point favorites they are now listed as six-point favorites to beat the Bulls, per The Action Network. Look for them to vanquish Chicago -- and the spread.
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