Lakers: Predictions for Week 8
Thunder forward Kevin Durant plays during an Oct. 28 game against the San Antonio Spurs in Oklahoma City.
With their Saturday night loss to the Houston Rockets, the Lakers have three wins in 24 tries, slotting the team in last place in the Western Conference.
They’ll play three games through Week 8, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks (10-15) and the Rockets (12-12) before traveling to Oklahoma City to visit the Thunder (16-8).
Through seven weeks of play, the Lakers are two wins behind a cumulative prediction of 5-19.
Tuesday vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are not a good road team, losing 10 of 12. The Lakers have only one win in seven tries at home, but they’ve competed in recent games (not including the recent loss to Houston), with Kobe Bryant and D’Angelo Russell showing significant improvement.
Milwaukee has underperformed, but on Saturday ended the Golden State Warriors’ run of 24 straight wins to start the season.
The Lakers haven’t earned the benefit of the doubt this season, but they may manage a couple of wins this week, starting with Milwaukee.
Prediction: Lakers
Thursday vs. Houston Rockets
The Rockets blew out the visitors from Los Angeles on Saturday, but the Lakers were playing on the second night of a back-to-back at the end of an eight-game road trip. Jordan Clarkson sat out with a sprained ankle, but should be ready to go by Thursday.
The Rockets have been inconsistent this season, and though they’re a better team than the Lakers, they may be vulnerable for an upset.
If the Lakers can manage the victory, it would be their first against a Western Conference opponent, and their first winning streak of the season if they also take care of the Bucks as predicted.
Prediction: Lakers
Saturday at Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is one of the best teams in the league, with all-stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook leading the way.
The team scores an average of 107.6 points a night, right about the 107.3 that the Lakers give up each game.
Look for the Thunder to exceed that scoring average on Saturday.
Prediction: Thunder
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus
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