Weekly Predictions
The Lakers will close out their road trip with games against the Pacers and the Bucks. Although Indiana is playing without their superstar – Victor Oladipo – the team still has posted a record of 18-9 and is on a three-game win streak. Los Angeles should be able to pull this win out nonetheless as the Pacers lack the arsenal to score successfully on Lakers’ stellar defense.
Following the Pacers, the Lakers take on the Bucks in the biggest showdown of the season. The matchup will feature the best team of each conference and will feature three MVP candidates in LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Lakers will have a great opportunity to prove doubters wrong yet again and pull out a win over the red-hot Bucks. The matchup is as even as it gets as both teams are top-five in offensive and defensive rating and top-three in overall net rating.
The only real advantage for the Bucks here is that they have a homecourt advantage. Even this “advantage” is hard to see as an advantage as the Lakers have the best road record. Still, however, I will give Milwaukee the win in our first face-off of the season.
After facing the Bucks, Los Angeles will head back home to face the Nuggets. Regardless of whether or not the Lakers win against the Bucks, the team will be rejuvenated and motivated to win in their return home.
They should be able to capitalize on this opportunity as they have already beaten Denver on the road this month. Moreover, the Nuggets have lost all of their matchups against +.500 teams since losing to LA.