Lakers: Predictions for Week 12
Golden State guard Stephen Curry dribbles past Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson during a game on Nov. 24.
With a Sunday night loss to the Utah Jazz, the Lakers have eight victories in 39 tries, slotting the team in last place in the Western Conference.
They’ll play four games through Week 11, hosting the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets, and visiting the Golden State Warriors and Jazz.
Through 11 weeks of play, the Lakers are three victories behind the cumulative prediction of 11-28.
Tuesday vs. New Orleans
The Pelicans were a playoff team last season, but they’ve truly struggled to compete this year. While New Orleans boasts one of the league’s talented young big men in Anthony Davis, the rest of the roster hasn’t been able given him enough support.
The Pelicans are giving up 106.0 points a game, slightly worse than the Lakers’ 105.9, although New Orleans does manage 101.3 offensively, greater than the Lakers’ 96.7.
Davis is a game-time decision because of a back injury. If he doesn’t play, the Lakers certainly have a feasible chance of ending their losing streak at four games.
The Lakers also are dealing with health issues, notably Kobe Bryant (Achilles’ tendon), D’Angelo Russell (ankle), Brandon Bass (eye) and Julius Randle (foot).
Bryant is questionable and the rest are probable.
Prediction: Pelicans
Thursday at Golden State
The Warriors have only two losses. They’ve continued to dominate the league, including a 109-88 victory over the Lakers last Tuesday.
From Stephen Curry to Klay Thompson to Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes, the Warriors have too many weapons.
The Lakers are in trouble on Thursday in Oakland.
Prediction: Warriors
Saturday at Utah
The Lakers were short-handed Sunday against the Jazz, playing without Bryant, Russell and Bass. They should have the full contingent back by Saturday.
Derrick Favors (back) has sat out recently. If he’s healthy, Utah is one of the better defensive teams in the league, especially with the recent return of center Rudy Gobert.
The Lakers seem to always have trouble dealing with Jazz guard-forward Gordon Hayward.
Prediction: Jazz
Sunday vs. Houston
The Rockets seem to run hot and cold this season. They’re riding a three-game winning streak.
James Harden and Dwight Howard are a difficult combination, especially for the struggling Lakers.
The schedule through Week 12 does the Lakers no favors. They may lose all four games.
Prediction: Rockets
Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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