Lakers: Predictions for Week 9
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) tries to gain position against Clippers point guard Chris Paul during a game in 2014.
With their Saturday afternoon loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers have four wins in 27 tries, slotting the team in last place in the Western Conference.
The Lakers will play four games through Week 9, visiting the Denver Nuggets (11-16) and Memphis Grizzlies (15-14), and hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder (18-9) and the Clippers (16-12).
Through seven weeks of play, the Lakers are three wins behind the cumulative prediction of 7-20.
Tuesday at Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are an inconsistent team, one the Lakers have a reasonable chance of beating, even on the road.
Rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is sidelined because of an ankle injury, but veteran Jameer Nelson has filled in well in his place.
The Lakers hope to get Kobe Bryant back from his absence caused by a sore shoulder.
Reserve guard Will Barton has blossomed into a reliable scorer for the Nuggets.
Prediction: Nuggets
Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder is a lot better than the Lakers.
Presuming Bryant is available, the Lakers will be more competitive than they were last week in Oklahoma City, but the result should be the same.
It may be more important for the Lakers’ young players to make more of an impression on Thunder All-Star forward Kevin Durant, who will be a free agent this summer.
Prediction: Thunder
Friday vs. Clippers
The Clippers are not playing their best basketball, having lost two straight. Even at their worst, the Clippers outclass the Lakers this season.
The Christmas Day matchup may not be close; recent Clippers teams have dominated the rebuilding Lakers.
Friday should bring the same result.
Prediction: Clippers
Sunday vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are not the same powerhouse they’ve been in recent years, giving up 100.2 points a game. Defense has been this team’s calling card but it just hasn’t been there on the same level this season.
Memphis manages just 95.9 points a night. It’s not a lock to beat the Lakers -- but considering that the Lakers have just four wins this season, the Grizzlies are still the favorite.
Prediction: Grizzlies
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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