All Lakers Expert Predictions For Possible Trap Game Against Houston Rockets
Can your Los Angeles Lakers avoid a potential trap game against, on paper, one of the weakest teams in the NBA and return to a .500 record tonight when it battles the Houston Rockets on the second night of a back-to-back?
All Lakers experts Noah Camras and Alex Kirschenbaum tackle that and more with a fresh batch of game predictions.
1. What will LA's AD-free starting five look like?
Alex: Given that 3-and-D center Mo Bamba remains on the shelf for several more weeks with his left high ankle sprain, I think Ham will prioritize defense over shooting for his first five, and will thus start Wenyen Gabriel at center next to Jarred Vanderbilt at power forward. Another option would be starting Rui Hachimura at power forward, and having a defense-first non-shooter like Gabriel or Vanderbilt at the five. But I think the Gabriel/Vanderbilt pairing will get the nod, as the other three positions should all offer plenty of shooting. I'm assuming he'll start D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Troy Brown Jr. on the wing.
Noah: Yeah, without Anthony Davis and Mo Bamba this is going to be an... interesting lineup. I agree that Wenyen Gabriel is going to start at the five because, if not him, it's going to be the 6-foot-8 true power forward Jarred Vanderbilt. Then, the regular lineup is going to be filled out with D-Lo, Malik Beasley, Troy Brown Jr. and Vanderbilt. So, a long way of saying I agree with Alex!
2. How many threes will LA make tonight?
Noah: The only way I see the Lakers winning this game is if they again just fire away from deep. I think they'll make around 15 threes and shoot 35 or more.
Alex: Last night, the Lakers shot an excellent 18-of-39 from deep in a 123-108 road blowout over the New Orleans Pelicans. They need to keep shooting at that volume (40-ish triples), but I doubt they'll get to 18 again. Let's say 14 for the game, but hope for more.
3. Will Jarred Vanderbilt score more than six points tonight?
Alex: It'd really help LA out if he did! He has scored six points or fewer in seven of his 13 games with Los Angeles thus far. The 6'9" power forward is more of a defender and a rebounder than a scorer (he's averaging 7.6 points per game this season on 52.8% shooting from the floor, but that modest sum belies his cumulative impact), but with two huge frontcourt absences in the form of Anthony Davis and LeBron James, it'd behoove him to at least get some lobs and putbacks in the paint. In the six Lakers games where Vanderbilt has scored seven or more points, LA has gone 5-1.
Noah: Vanderbilt should have an increased scoring role, especially during his minutes as the very-small-ball center. So, yes, I think he'll get to double digits because he'll have a lot more volume and opportunities to score, especially out of the pick-and-roll.
4. Will LA win?
Noah: Yes. The Lakers need to win, and the Rockets probably want to lose. I don't think it's going to be easy, and there are going to be times when the Lakers are down in the game. But they're going to find a way to win this must-win game, and finally get back to .500.
Alex: Most definitely. For the Lakers, the playoffs essentially started after the All-Star break this season, given that they're in a dead heat with half the Western Conference for a handful of play-in tournament spots. The team's remaining healthy players will be highly motivated, despite being the more fatigued club tonight. LA is favored by 3.5 points in Vegas. Look for them to cruise past that margin.
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