Here is what you need to know before the Lakers continue their road trip by
visiting the Washington Wizards.
1) Clarkson is an early Sixth Man of the Year Candidate Jordan Clarkson
started the season by saying he wants to win Sixth Man of the Year, and he’s off
to a pretty solid start.
The 25-year-old is putting up the NBA’s second-most points off the bench (15.4)
and has failed to score double figures just once this year.
But perhaps the most impressive part of Clarkson’s game has been his efficiency.
Having shot about 44 percent for the first three seasons of his career, Clarkson
is now hitting 51.2 percent of his looks — second-best among the league’s point
guards.
And it’s not like he’s only taking shots at the rim. In fact, he has hit a
flaming 11-of-16 on his favorite shot: the pull-up jumper.
Clarkson has also done more than just score. He has competed defensively and, as
the team’s de facto backup point guard, has at least four assists in more than
half his games.
2) Washington is looking for vengeance Two weeks ago the Wizards marched
into STAPLES Center and left with a loss on their previously perfect record.
Before that game, they were 3-0. Since, they are 2-5.
Brandon Ingram was the key to that victory, as the Lakers trailed by 10 with
seven minutes left before he scored nine points down the stretch, including an
overtime-forcing put-back.
Ingram has been on an upward trajectory since that game, hitting double-digit
scoring in six straight, including 18 points in Wednesday’s loss in Boston.
The Lakers will need all the firepower they can get in this rematch with
Washington, which is hanging up the NBA’s third-most points per game (111.4).
But the Wizards also surrender 109.6 points on the other end, and the Lakers
will look to take advantage to capture the season series for the first time in
six years.
: Lakers come back from down double-digits to beat the Wizards in an exciting
overtime finish, 102-99 #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/BYq5uUXDLu
3) The guard battle will be the focus once again In their previous matchup,
all eyes were on All-Star point guard John Wall, whom center Marcin Gortat said
would “torture” Lonzo Ball the entire game.
While Ball was held to 2-of-11 shooting, he did have 10 assists. Meanwhile, Wall
tallied 18 points (but needed 22 shot attempts) and nine dimes.
Ball’s performance encapsulated his season thus far, as he has struggled to
score (29.5 percent shooting) but stayed involved with his passing (6.8 assists)
and rebounding (6.3).
Meanwhile, Clarkson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have been solid in their roles
within the backcourt rotation.
However, the Wizards’ guards have been on another level.
Wall ranks second in the NBA in assists (10.8), draws the second-most free throw
attempts (8.8) and scores the third-most points off drives (9.7).
And Beal can hit from just about anywhere, putting up the league’s ninth-most
points per contest (25.4) by sinking shots from both inside and outside the arc.
Injury Report Lakers: Andrew Bogut (back tightness) is questionable. Larry Nance
Jr. (fractured second metacarpal, left hand) is out. Wizards: Sheldon Mac (left
Achilles surgery) is out.
Tip-Off: 4 p.m. PT TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes Radio: 710 ESPN
and 1330 KWKW Unis: Gold Location: Capital One Arena — Washington, D.C.
Click here to view game notes for this contest.
Leggo. #LakeShow
A post shared by Lakers Scene (@lakersscene) on Nov 8, 2017 at 5:21pm PST
Player: Lonzo Ball
Player: Jordan Clarkson
Player: Brandon Ingram
Player: Kyle Kuzma
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