Lakers: Predictions for Week 15

With their Sunday night loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the Lakers have just nine wins in 50 tries, slotting the team into last place in the Western Conference.

They’ll play three games through Week 15, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-35), followed by visits to the New Orleans Pelicans (18-28) and the San Antonio Spurs (39-8).

Through 14 weeks of play, the Lakers are two wins behind the cumulative prediction of 11-39.

Tuesday vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves are one of the worst teams in the Western Conference, visiting the Lakers with a four-game losing streak.

The Lakers have nearly beaten them twice this season, once on opening night and the other in overtime, led by D’Angelo Russell in a breakthrough performance.

If the Lakers don’t win, they’ll set a franchise record for losing streaks, at 11.

Prediction: Lakers

Thursday at New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans started the season extremely slowly, but have climbed from near the bottom to within four games of the eighth-place Portland Trail Blazers (23-26).

New Orleans has tried to push through injuries, notably to Eric Gordon (finger) and Quincy Pondexter (knee), who are both out. Tyreke Evans’ status (knee) is unclear.

The Lakers actually have a real chance to get two in a row, if they beat the Timberwolves -- but Anthony Davis and the Pelicans will not be an easy target.

Prediction: Pelicans

Saturday at San Antonio Spurs

Though Tim Duncan has been sidelined recently with a sore knee, the Spurs are too much to handle for almost any team -- let alone the struggling Lakers.

San Antonio is a perfect 26-0 at home, and second to just the Golden State Warriors (44-4) in the overall standings.

A Lakers win would be a shock.

Prediction: Spurs

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