Here is what you need to know before the Lakers visit the NBA-leading Houston
Rockets.
1) The Lakers are facing an elite team once again First it was Cleveland.
Then it was Golden State. Now it’s Houston.
On the third leg of a four-game stretch against the NBA’s top teams, the Lakers
will look to give the Rockets the same type of fight they did against the Cavs
and Warriors. The only difference is they want a win this time.
Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma have shined the most against these elite clubs.
Ingram has reliably attacked the rim while providing enough perimeter shooting
to function as a counter.
Most importantly, he has begun to sprinkle in more playmaking, setting up shots
for teammates like Kuzma, who canned four 3-pointers in his 25-point game
against the Warriors.
Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with a team-high 25 points tonight against the
Warriors. pic.twitter.com/RIOBSm7UWM
2) The Lakers are down 2 of their starting 5 Brook Lopez sprained his ankle
against the Warriors, causing him to miss at least three weeks. Kentavious
Caldwell-Pope couldn’t travel to Houston because of a legal matter.
That leaves the Lakers without two of their most high-volume 3-point shooters.
Kuzma, the team’s most accurate player from beyond the arc, will likely get some
more looks, as will Jordan Clarkson.
But don’t forget about Lonzo Ball, who has sunk 9-of-20 3-pointers in his last
three games.
The more pressing matter is Luke Walton’s center rotation.
With Lopez out, Julius Randle is likely to see his minutes increase. But who
gets the playing time left over?
Andrew Bogut is a veteran who provides a 7-footer’s defensive presence but
little shooting. Larry Nance Jr. gives L.A. defense and hustle plays, but is a
natural power froward and also doesn’t shoot. Rookie Thomas Bryant, a true
stretch center, is capable of sinking triples but has yet to play in the NBA.
Yeah, @Larrydn22 actually did this last night.: https://t.co/HHnOmmr5fV
pic.twitter.com/j0Ot8Zxczn
3) The Rockets are at the top of the league It is difficult to overstate
just how hot Houston — winners of 14 straight — is right now.
James Harden is the MVP favorite, averaging 31.3 points while sinking 4.2
3-pointers and 8.2 free throws — all of which lead the NBA. He is also a
fireball one-on-one, topping the league in isolation scoring (10.6), with more
such points than 27 of 30 teams.
Future Hall of Famer Chris Paul has hit his stride lately. With Harden soaking
up so much attention, Paul has been able to strike from his hot spots, shooting
19-of-23 on layups and 11-of-13 on corner 3-pointers this season.
And what’s truly special about the Rockets is that they have so much talent
surrounding those two star guards.
Clint Capela has elevated his game to become a pick-and-roll hammer and true rim
protector. Ryan Anderson hits more 3s than any big man in the league. Trevor
Ariza, in his 14th season, is still a reliable 3 and D player. Eric Gordon is
coming off a 33-point game.
Sans Lopez and Caldwell-Pope, the Lakers will need to conjure up some firepower
to contend with Houston’s arsenal.
Injury Report Lakers: Brook Lopez (right ankle sprain) and Kentavious
Caldwell-Pope (personal reasons) are out. Rockets: Luc Mbah a Moute (right
shoulder dislocation), Troy Williams (right knee MCL sprain), Chinanu Onuaku
(left wrist injury), Zhou Qi (G League assignment) and Briante Weber (G League
assignment) are out
Tip-Off: 5 p.m. PT TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes in L.A. NBA TV
nationally Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW Unis: Gold Location: STAPLES Center —
Los Angeles, California
Click here to view game notes for this contest.
Player: Lonzo Ball
Player: Brandon Ingram
Player: Kyle Kuzma
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/171220-lakers-rockets-3-things
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram,
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Taxonomy: 3 Things to Know
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