Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Preview and Prediction
After dropping back-to-back games to the mighty Golden State Warriors, the Lakers will host Dwight Howard and the Atlanta Hawks tonight.
Dwight Howard is going to get booed so hard tonight. Harder than he has in previous seasons. Why? Because Lakers fans are insane that’s why.
Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard might have put their differences aside, but the fans have not, and will not let it go. Who in their right mind leaves the greatest franchise in the history of sports?
Howard did, and the feeling of being broken up with has not left fans. Unfortunately, that likely won’t have an affect on the rejuvenated Dwight Howard tonight.
Howard is averaging a cool 14 points and 12 rebounds this season, and he showed no mercy when facing the Lake Show earlier this season.
So boo all you want, Los Angeles, but make sure to root for the home team just as much. They’re going to need it.
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Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Sunday, November 27
Start Time: 6:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: Spectrum Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell – Knee (Out indefinitely), Julius Randle – Hip pointer (Out)
Atlanta Hawks: Mike Scott – Knee (Out indefinitely), Tiago Splitter – Hamstring (Out indefinitely)
Prediction
The last time the Lakers played the Hawks this season, they won. However, it was only a preseason game and LA had both Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell. That is not the case tonight.
They will have Nick Young back in the starting lineup after he missed the Lakers’ last game. Young, if he is truly 100 percent, will provide the scoring punch the Lakers didn’t have in their two games against Golden State.
Defensively, they will have to sharpen up. While they did a great job of shutting down Paul Millsap earlier this season, they let Dwight Howard dominate the paint. Howard finished the game with 31 points on 12-for-16 shooting.
They also had a hard time containing Tim Hardaway Jr., who went off for 26 points. If they want to get the win tonight, they will have to play solid team defense.
If they don’t they’re going to lose by a lot. Simple.
The key to tonight’s game will be protecting the 3-point line. Atlanta have a few sharp shooters in Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore, and a couple of improving stretch-fours in Kris Humphries and Paul Millsap.
104. 125. 107. 20. Final
Next: Maximizing Nick Young's Potential
The Lakers have not lost three consecutive games all season, and I don’t expect that to change tonight. Lakers win.