Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for showdown vs. Utah Jazz
By Jason Reed
![LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 30, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 30, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7825db1fe423bad957a80290a7da536316ea6f54a87b18d7c38fe13a4d459d37.jpg)
2. Dion Waiters plays 25+ minutes, scores 15+ points
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a guard problem without Avery Bradley and with Rajon Rondo injured. While it is far too soon to abort mission and try something completely new, Frank Vogel should be slightly tweaking the rotations towards what is working.
Right now, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green are not working, which is unfortunate as they are both huge x-factors in whether or not the Lakers will in it all. Danny Green as not scored a single point yet and KCP has had some poor defensive stands.
Again, KCP and Green still need playing time to get back in the groove but Vogel needs to go more towards what works and that is with Alex Caruso and Dion Waiters.
Waiters has been really solid for the Los Angeles Lakers thus far and is proving to be a smart investment for the team, especially with the loss of depth in the backcourt. Waiters is getting right over 21 minutes per game right now and has scored 11 and 12 points in his two bubble games.
Vogel needs to tune that up just a tad and get Waiters on the floor for another four minutes or so. As a result, we will see Waiters take another 2-3 shots and raise his scoring to at least 15 points.
I think, depending on how Kyle Kuzma plays, there is a good chance that Waiters is even the third-leading scorer in this game behind a 30-point game from LeBron and a 22-point game from Anthony Davis.