Despite 10 of 15 on the road, Lakers' December schedule may be doable

By Eric Pincus

Aug 15, 2014 | 5:48 PM

Despite 10 of 15 on the road, Lakers' December schedule may be doable — The Lakers are headed to Chicago on Christmas Day for a game against Derrick Rose and former Laker Pau Gasol. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / McClatchy-Tribune)

After a busy start to the season, playing 10 of 17 at home through October and November, the Lakers hit the road for most of December.

Only five of the Lakers' 15 December games will be at Staples Center. Seven will be played against teams that made the playoffs last season. The Lakers will play on consecutive nights three times.

Despite spending little time at home, the Lakers have what looks to be a manageable December schedule.

The month starts with a three-game trip against the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 2, followed by a quick trip to the Washington Wizards on Dec 3. On Dec. 5, the Lakers will make their lone visit to play the Boston Celtics, before returning home.

After being host to the New Orleans Pelicans (Dec. 7) and Sacramento Kings (Dec. 9), the Lakers will get two days off before their second three-game trip of the month.

After a trip to San Antonio against the champion Spurs on Dec. 12, the Lakers play their second-back-to-back set with visits to the Minnesota Timberwolves (Dec.14) and Indiana Pacers (Dec. 15).

The Lakers will have three days off to prepare for a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 19. They'll quickly fly up to Sacramento to visit the Kings on Dec. 21, before returning back to Staples Center for the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 23.

The Lakers will travel to play the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day, followed by a trip to Dallas to play the Mavericks on Dec. 26.

The team returns home to host the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 28 before ending the year on the 30th, visiting the Denver Nuggets.

Of the 15 games, three are scheduled to be on national television (TNT and ESPN).

The Lakers may have a difficult time finishing October and November with a winning record. Despite a heavy load on the road in December, the competition is slightly lighter and the games are relatively well spaced on the schedule.

If the Lakers can quickly learn how to play together and stay injury-free, they may be able to near a .500 record by 2015, with 15 to 16 wins in their first 32 tries.

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