Los Angeles Lakers: Game-by-game predictions for the final eight games

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets — Win

This is a game that I originally had the Los Angeles Lakers losing with the old rumored schedule. The reason being was that the Lakers would have been slated to take on the Houston Rockets first, which could have been a headache.

The Clippers are absolutely the more well-rounded team but the Rockets present the weirdest matchups in the league. They are playing small without a center and without Avery Bradley, they would have been better off as both of their stars are in the backcourt.

However, with this game coming right in the thick of things, the Lakers will be in better shape and will be better prepared for the Rockets, as they will also have a handful of recent games to look at and scout.

Keep in mind: this is the second leg of a back-to-back, which traditionally would be menacing for a team, especially against an opponent like the Rockets. However, with no travel and a relatively routine game the night before, the Lakers won’t be fatigued much.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers — Win

The Indiana Pacers are going to be a really interesting team to watch during this resumption as they are finally healthy and can run out a backcourt of Malcolm Brogdon and Victor Oladipo, with is exciting.

The problem is that we got a little taste of that before the season was halted and Oladipo really was not playing well. Whether it was rust because of his injury or a weird fit in the scheme that was developed without him, he was not good when he returned.

I think the Pacers play the Lakers really close in this game still and it comes down to the final possession, where the Lakers will drain a basket to win the game.