The Lakers will be home for the majority of January, which is convenient considering that nine of their 15 opponents in that month made the playoffs last season. In fact, eight of the first nine foes on the 2017 slate are coming off postseason appearances.
However, another plus for the purple and gold is the amount of rest it will be able to get. The Lakers play only two back-to-backs in January, with the second coming after two days rest and being followed by four days off.
This month is also the thick of All-Star voting, which could be key for D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram’s chances of being selected for the Rising Stars Challenge.
January Games: 15 Home: 9 Away: 6 Playoff Opponents: 11 National TV Games: 3 Home Opponents: Toronto, Memphis, Miami, Orlando, Portland, Detroit, Denver (twice), Indiana Road Destinations: Portland (twice), San Antonio, Clippers, Dallas, Utah
Full Schedule
Key Matchups Jan. 1 vs. Toronto (Time Warner Cable SportsNet) The Lakers get 2017 started with a New Year’s Day matchup against Toronto. Led by All-Stars and Team USA members Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors are coming off of the most successful season in franchise history, having gone 56-26 en route to the Eastern Conference Finals. Adding a wrinkle to the matchup is the presence of Raptors assistant Jerry Stackhouse, who is Ingram’s lifelong mentor.
