The Los Angeles Lakers will look to stay on a roll when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers have started the 2019-20 season on a hot streak. Since losing opening night to the LA Clippers, they have run through their schedule. The only hiccup since then has come against the Toronto Raptors, as the team sits atop the Western Conference, and NBA, with an 11-2 record
The Lakers will now look to keep that momentum going against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The teams will play a rare back-to-back against each other. They will face off tonight at STAPLES Center before facing off again on Friday in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder come into the game with a record of 5-8. They have lost three of their last four games, but this is not a team that can be taken lightly.
You know veteran Chris Paul will be motivated to face off against his good friend, LeBron James. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was acquired from the Clippers in the Paul George trade, is having a breakout season, averaging 20.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.
In the frontcourt, the Thunder have a solid duo in Danilo Gallinari and Steven Adams. They will present some issues for the Lakers and this could be a game we see Frank Vogel go with some smaller lineups with only one big on the court at once. That could result in Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee playing a couple of fewer minutes, but if it helps the team get a win, then that is all that matters.
Another thing to watch for in these upcoming games is the play of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He has been scrutinized a lot this season but has looked more comfortable in the starting lineup.
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With Avery Bradley sidelined, Caldwell-Pope has stepped into the starting five and performed rather well. Against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, Caldwell-Pope scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to help the team hold on for the victory.
Anthony Davis‘ health will be worth monitoring as well. He has sat out only one game for rest, but the shoulder and rib injuries he is dealing with seem to be hampering him offensively and in the rebounding department. Defensively, he has remained engaged, which is encouraging
How to watch
Date: Nov. 19, 2019
Time: 10:30 P.M. ET, 7:30 P.M. PT
Place: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, California
TV: NBA TV, FSOK, SPECSN, FUBO.tv
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC, 710 AM ESPN / 1330 AM ESPN DEPORTES
Projected starting lineup
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG: Chris Paul
SF: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
PF: Danilo Gallinari
C: Steven Adams
Los Angeles Lakers
PG: LeBron James
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Danny Green
PF: Anthony Davis
C: JaVale McGee