Here is what you need to know before the Lakers look to defend home court
against the Memphis Grizzlies.
1) Kuzma’s scoring binges are no longer surprising With 31 points in his
last game, Kyle Kuzma is in the midst of a scorching stretch. He is averaging
27.8 over his last five outings, the fifth-highest in the league.
Only James Harden, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving have scored
more during this span.
Speaking of LeBron, Kuzma’s offensive binge on Tuesday was the most points
dropped by a rookie on Christmas Day since “King James” went off for 34 in 2003.
Kuzma was able to tally his total by playing aggressively, with six 3-pointers
and nine free throws inflating his production.
After this latest eruption, Kuzma now leads the rookie class in scoring with
18.1 points per game.
Kyle Kuzma continues his hot streak by scoring 31 points tonight, including
hitting six shots from downtown #NBAVote. pic.twitter.com/DWfYuf6qIC
2) The Lakers could get a key piece back from injury Brandon Ingram is
listed as questionable for this game, and was a full participant at Tuesday’s
practice.
The 20-year-old missed L.A.’s last game due to a contusion on his right quad and
tendinitis in his left quad, and the Lakers could certainly use his talents back
in the rotation.
Ingram is the team’s second-leading scorer (16.0 ppg) and already one of the
most effective slashers in the game.
That particular talent has opened up scoring opportunities for others, and the
Lakers need someone who can do just that with Lonzo Ball (sprained shoulder) out
of the lineup.
Ingram is averaging 5.2 assists over his last five games, and really finding his
groove as a playmaker.
Scenes from Tuesday in El Segundo #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/SIGwrJ0Anx
3) The Grizz are looking to snap out of a funk It has been chaotic year for
Memphis, which fired Coach David Fizdale after an eight-game losing streak and
has since gone just 3-12 under Interim Coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
The Grizzlies play decent defense but average the league’s second-fewest points
(97.1) of their own. Longtime point guard Mike Conley has been out since Nov.
13, compounding these issues.
But Memphis still does have two veterans capable of tilting a game their way.
Marc Gasol remains a pick-and-roll maestro, capable of getting to the rim or
popping out for triple (yet is shooting a career-low from the field and went
just 4-of-16 on Tuesday).
And the Lakers will also have to worry about Tyreke Evans, who is averaging 26.0
points over his last three games, and ranks among the NBA’s top five in layups
this season while also hitting 41.2 percent from deep.
Injury Report Lakers: Lonzo Ball (left shoulder sprain) and Brook Lopez (right
ankle sprain) are out. Brandon Ingram (right quad contusion, left quad
tendinitis) is questionable. Grizzlies: Mike Conley (left Achilles) and Wayne
Selden Jr. (right quad) are out. Chandler Parsons (rest) and JaMychal Green
(right knee soreness) did not play in Tuesday’s game at Phoenix.
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. PT TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes Radio: 710
ESPN and 1330 KWKW Unis: MPLS Blue Location: Staples Center — Los Angeles,
California
Click here to view game notes for this contest.
Player: Brandon Ingram
Player: Kyle Kuzma
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