Lakers: Week 25 predictions
Sacramento Kings forward
The Lakers (21-59) finished Week 24 with two players going down in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Dwight Buycks (hand) and Wesley Johnson (ankle) are out. Buycks is done for the season, becoming a free agent with the expiration of his 10-day contract. Johnson’s status isn’t clear going forward.
The Lakers will play two final games through Week 25, both against the Sacramento Kings (27-53).
To date, the Lakers’ record is three games better than the cumulative prediction of 18-62.
Monday at Sacramento Kings
Like the Lakers, Sacramento is not a playoff team, likely in sixth position in May’s NBA draft lottery. Stars DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay have been shut down for the season.
On the other side, the Lakers are especially shorthanded, with just two available guards on the roster in Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown.
The Kings will play for a win with guards Ray McCallum and Ben McLemore, along with probable starters Jason Thompson, Derrick Williams and Omri Casspi.
Prediction: Kings
Wednesday vs. Sacramento Kings
The Lakers are set to mercifully wrap a difficult season on Wednesday, hosting the Kings in the finale.
Only four Lakers -- Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, Julius Randle and Ryan Kelly -- have guaranteed contracts next season, and only Kelly is available to play.
Those looking to stay with the franchise have one last chance to make an impression before an early summer in April -- at least the few who are healthy enough to suit up.
Prediction: Kings
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus
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