Here is what you need to know before the Lakers continue their rivalry with the
Boston Celtics.
1) AC/JC is rockin’ Without Lonzo Ball over the last two games, Jordan
Clarkson and Alex Caruso have stepped up as the playmakers that the Lakers have
sorely needed.
L.A. started 0-8 without Ball in the lineup, but have now won back-to-back
contests. That twin point guard lineup was key in their last victory, as the
Lakers outscored New York by 26 in 29 minutes with both Clarkson and Caruso on
the floor.
Clarkson was a fire-starter, constantly burning the Knicks with his pull-up
jumper en route to 29 points. He and Caruso both excelled in pick-and-rolls and
made plays in transition to lead the Lakers to a 20-point win.
They combined for 18 assists in that last game, and it will be interesting to
see how much coach Luke Walton staggers the two compared to how long they share
the court.
If their connection stays strong, it could pay dividends when Ball returns, as
having two legit playmakers in the second unit can further open Walton’s
playbook.
Jordan Clarkson had his own fake-jumper dime last night. He and Alex Caruso were
crucial to the win. They combined for 18 assists and were a +26 on the floor
together.: https://t.co/Wt8V7nyaUj pic.twitter.com/5u7ulhtOdk
2) Randle is in monster mode Julius Randle is coming off one of his most
impressive performances yet, having completely overwhelmed the NBA’s top rim
protector: Kristaps Porzings.
Randle dropped 27 points and 12 rebounds on Porzingis’ Knicks thanks to a
formula of speed, strength and craft.
While Porzingis is as formidable as they come at the hoop, Randle was able to
take the big man off the dribble and burst past him from the perimeter. And when
he did have to meet the 7-foot-3 tower at the rim, he did an excellent job of
finishing against an elite shot blocker.
Randle also fooled Porzingis on a couple post-ups and overpowered him for a few
rebounds.
He certainly embraced the challenge and reminded everyone that his unique skill
set can be a potential problem for pretty much every big in the game.
Julius Randle (27 pts, 12 reb) was a headache for Porzingis last night.JR walks
the 7-foot-3 guy under the rim for the offensive board, puts him into the
popcorn machine and finishes over the other big. pic.twitter.com/OAnih31d4u
3) C’s start with D The Celtics enter this game as the NBA’s top defensive
team in about every metric: defensive efficiency, opponent field goal
percentage, opponent 3-point percentage and opponent 3-pointers.
Their 98.0 points allowed per game rank second in the league, and their roster
is full of plus defenders, particularly Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Jaylen
Brown.
On the other side of the floor, Kyrie Irving is as dangerous with the ball in
his hands as anybody in the game. Tabbed a starter for next month’s All-Star
Game in L.A., Irving is coming off a 40-point display in which he scorched
Orlando with his step-back and pull-up jumpers.
Meanwhile, Brown and Jayson Tatum have played beyond their young age, while
Horford is among the league’s best big men when it comes to passing and 3-point
shooting.
It will certainly be a challenge for the Lakers, as they look to defend home
court in their rivals’ annual visit.
Injury Report Lakers: Lonzo Ball (sore left knee) is out. Kentavious
Caldwell-Pope (right Achilles tendon strain) is questionable. Brandon Ingram
(mild left ankle sprain) is probable. Celtics: Gordon Hayward (left ankle rehab)
is out.
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. PT TV: TNT Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW Unis: Gold Location:
STAPLES Center — Los Angeles, California
Click here to view game notes for this contest.
Player: Alex Caruso
Player: Jordan Clarkson
Player: Julius Randle
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/180123-lakers-celtics-preview
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