Here is what you need to know before the Lakers visit the champion Golden State
Warriors.
1) Kuz is a man on fire It’s not often a player — much less a rookie —
gets as hot as Kyle Kuzma did in Wednesday’s victory over Houston.
The 22-year-old hit each of his first nine shots en route to a career-high
38-point night against the team with the best record in the NBA. Kuzma was
particularly hot from deep, splashing 7-of-10 from 3-point range.
The Lakers got him into a rhythm early with a few easy looks from downtown, but
Kuzma himself absolutely caught fire, making some tough shots throughout the
rest of the night.
This included a baseline fadeaway over two defenders that was downright
Mamba-esque. Even Kobe Bryant himself had to show his approval for Kuz.
On a night when he hit seven 3-pointers, Kyle Kuzma’s most impressive shot may
have been this baseline fadeaway against the double-team.28 games into his
career, Kuz goes off for 38 points. https://t.co/ig4vahTP1Z
pic.twitter.com/KP7hVIDmJj
2) Lakers are getting an immediate rematch with the Dubs Just four days ago,
the Lakers locked into another back-and-forth battle with the Warriors, taking
the defending champs into overtime for the second game this season.
Kuzma — who has three straight 20-point games — was again at the forefront for
the purple and gold, leading the offense with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting.
But the Lakers couldn’t contain Kevin Durant, who shot just 6-of-25 in
regulation but 4-of-4 in overtime.
Durant has been an absolute monster in Stephen Curry’s six-game injury absence,
leading the NBA with 33.2 points per game, while also averaging 10.0 rebounds,
6.5 assists and 2.8 blocks.
Durant is just about impossible to shut down, but the Lakers will hope to keep
him (relatively) in check and provide their own highlights on the other end.
Larry drops the hammer! Big-time slam by Junior! #LakeShow (: @SpectrumSN,
@spectdeportes, NBA TV) pic.twitter.com/PIOH2fin9k
3) All eyes are on the center rotation With Brook Lopez out due to a
sprained ankle, the Lakers are staying flexible with their centers’ playing
time.
Andrew Bogut got the starting nod in Houston, as coach Luke Walton sought to
counter James Hardens’ slashing by playing the Lakers’ 7-foot rim protector.
Meanwhile, Larry Nance Jr. played 22 minutes as a small-ball center, grabbing
six offensive rebounds along the way.
That left Julius Randle as the odd man, playing only eight minutes.
But Walton tends to ride with his hottest players, meaning that Randle very well
could get the most playing time of any of them against the Warriors.
He is the NBA’s most efficient pick-and-roll big man this season and an
excellent center in switch defenses. If Randle has both of those skills on
display in Oakland, he should receive plenty of playing time.
Injury Report Lakers: Brook Lopez (right ankle sprain) is out. Warriors: Stephen
Curry (sprained right ankle) is out. Shaun Livingston (sore right knee) is
doubtful. Draymond Green (right shoulder soreness), Andre Iguodala (flu-like
symptoms) and Zaza Pachulia (left shoulder soreness) are questionable.
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. PT TV: ESPN Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW Unis: Purple
Location: Oracle Arena — Oakland, California
Click here to view game notes for this contest.
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