Lakers: Predictions for Week 4

With their Sunday night win over the Detroit Pistons, the Lakers have two wins in 10 tries, slotting the team at 14th in the Western Conference.

They’ll play three games through Week 4, with one on the road in Phoenix against the Suns (5-4) before two at home, hosting the Toronto Raptors (7-4) and Portland Trail Blazers (4-7).

Through three weeks of play, the Lakers are one win behind the cumulative prediction of 3-7.

Monday at Phoenix Suns

The Lakers will play in Phoenix on the second night of a back-to-back, without Kobe Bryant, following a challenging but successful night against the Detroit Pistons.

Bryant will rest, as the Lakers draw one of the six teams in the Western Conference with a winning record in the Suns.

Phoenix features two high-scoring guards in Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. Tyson Chandler is a capable defensive center, but forward Markieff Morris is off to a slow start (13 points a game on 36.8% shooting).

Drawing the Suns on short rest without Bryant is a difficult task.

Prediction: Suns

Friday vs. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are off to a strong start this season, led by guards DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

Toronto has a capable center in Jonas Valanciunas, a wing defender who can score in DeMarre Carroll and experienced power forwards in Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson.

The Lakers will have three full days to prepare for the Raptors, but it still may not be enough.

Prediction: Raptors

Sunday vs. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers have lost five straight but have four wins to the Lakers’ two, primarily on the backs of guards Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Lillard, in particular, has been a major problem for the Lakers in recent years.

Despite rebuilding, the Blazers are a talented roster, but a vulnerable one.

Prediction: Lakers

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.