The Lakers are finally back at STAPLES Center, but with a terrible matchup in the Bucks coming to town
The Los Angeles Lakers are finally going to be back in STAPLES Center on Tuesday night as they welcome one of the more inconsistent yet dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference to town in the Milwaukee Bucks. This will also be the Bucks’ first game since becoming the first team to take down the Golden State Warriors this season.
While the Bucks are riding high off of that big, unexpected victory, the Lakers will be trying to recover from their torturous eight-game road trip where they managed just one victory.
One of the biggest positives from the road trip was the emergence of D’Angelo Russell as a truly lethal weapon for the Lakers when given the opportunity. However, Russell will be back to the bench to start the game in this matchup as Jordan Clarkson will be returning from the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined and allowed Russell to slide in.
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As far as the Lakers’ strengths in the matchup with Milwaukee, you have to like the prospects of Julius Randle taking on a frontcourt for the Bucks in Greg Monroe and Jabari Parker that has proven to be less than stellar defensively. With Randle’s aggressiveness and talent, the second-year forward could be in store for an impressive outing.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, though, the Bucks present quite a tough matchup personnel wise. Milwaukee thrives off of the length and athleticism of their young perimeter players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and even point guard Michael Carter-Williams. Given the age, size, and lack of defensive abilities of the Lakers perimeter players like Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Lou Williams, Russell, and Clakrson, that doesn’t bode well for Los Angeles.
This game has the potential to turn sloppy, but it seems pretty clear as of right now that the Bucks have more advantages that they could possibly exploit.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Tuesday, Dec 15
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet, Fox Sports Wisconsin
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Bucks -4
Moneyline: Bucks -175, Lakers +155
O/U: 197
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Jordan Clarkson (ankle)—Will play
Milwaukee Bucks: Greivis Vasquez (ankle)—Out, Jerryd Bayless (ankle)—Out
Prediction
The Bucks are certainly a team prone to inconsistency and the Lakers are getting another weapon back in the rotation with the return of Jordan Clarkson. However, the Bucks’ length and athleticism seems like it’s going to cause the Lakers a ton of problems in STAPLES Center on Tuesday night and will ultimately be the determining factor.
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