All Lakers Expert Predictions For Key Thunder Game Friday
Your Los Angeles Lakers sport a 36-37 record heading into tonight's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder -- who, as fate would have it, are also 36-37.
As are the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, all four of whom are bunched up within the Western Conference. The Utah Jazz are a half-game behind that foursome at 35-37, while the 37-37 Minnesota Timberwolves are a half-game ahead of them.
That effectively makes tonight's game doubly important, not just because LA should be looking to win as much as possible for a shot at avoiding the play-in tournament entirely, but also because a loss for LA tonight is a win for the Thunder, who could suddenly lap the team in the West standings.
So what will happen tonight? And how should the Lakers plan to vanquish the Thunder? Check out our expert prognoses.
1. Will Anthony Davis step up tonight against a raw, young front line?
Alex: He better. In the ten games he's played since LeBron James went down late last month, Davis has been averaging a mammoth 26.3 points on .543/.357/.745 shooting splits, 12.6 boards, 2.8 assists and 2.1 blocks a night. With two of LA's key scorers (James and possibly D'Angelo Russell) potentially sidelined tonight, the Lakers will be counting on Davis to take on more of the scoring burden than usual.
Noah: Alex hit it on the head. AD needs to take advantage of the Thunder, and dominate on both ends of the floor. If D-Lo doesn't play, they'll lean on him even more. In this must-win game, he needs to put up 30 and 10.
2. Will this red-hot Austin Reaves scoring streak come to an end tonight?
Noah: Austin Reaves may not keep shooting at such a high clip, but he consistently finds ways to score the basketball and get to the rim. So I for sure see him continuing to score, potentially getting over that 20-point clip again.
Alex: Thunder guard Luguentz Dort should be able to mute the Lakers' new starting shooting guard a bit, but I do think he'll score something in line with the 18.4 points a night, on .541/.355/.827 shooting splits, he's been averaging across his past 10 contests with LA.
3. Will the Lakers win?
Alex: As I forecasted earlier today, I do think the Lakers will do what needs to be done and take care of business at home against a worthy adversary. That said, I think it'll be closer than Vegas oddsmakers are predicting.
Noah: I know I've said it a lot recently, but this is the most important game of the season. It's must-win for so many reasons, and I think the Lakers find a way, whether SGA plays or not.
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