1.) Don’t get complacent
This perhaps the most simple key to the game, but also the most important. The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference at 23-3, tied with the Bucks for the best record in the entire league and are currently on an impressive twelve game road winning streak.
It’s not uncommon for teams in this position to get complacent with these kinds of games, play down to their level of competition, and as a result, lose. It happens with every team experiencing this level of success, but so far, the Lakers have been taking care of business against the bottom teams in the league, with a record of 17-0 against teams under .500 as of right now.
Even with how bad the Hawks have been this season, and boy have they been bad, the Lakers still need to come out guns blazing and set the tone early. In what is projected to be a tough December schedule, the team can’t afford to lose these ‘gimme’ games, especially in the Western Conference.