Next Five
January 30th @ Boston Celtics: Win (17-4)
This game could go in either direction, but I’m taking the team with the better roster from the top down and the team that’s got the hot hand — the Lakers. This will be an absolute battle to the end, but the Lakers will wind up taking this rivalry matchup with the Boston Celtics despite a great performance from Jayson Tatum.
February 1st @ Atlanta Hawks: Win (18-4)
The Hawks have improved leaps and bounds this off-season with their draft selection of Onyeka Okongwu and their additions of both Danilo Gallinari and Kris Dunn. They will likely vie for a back-end playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but my hot take is that they will be at least a four seed in the Eastern Conference — a take I will stand by even if it is stupid.
February 4th vs. Denver Nuggets: Win (19-4)
The Nuggets will be a good team once again with Jamal Murray taking a huge step forward and Nikola Jokic still around. They should be in the upper echelon of the conference, but the Lakers will show him who is boss once again in their first matchup of the regular season.
February 6th vs. Detroit Pistons: Win (20-4)
Again, do we have to say it? This is going to be a cakewalk win for the Lakers. The Pistons simply aren’t a good basketball team.
February 8th vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Win (21-4)
As we previously mentioned with the Oklahoma City Thunder, they are not nearly as good as they were last season and they will have a very hard team keeping up with a team like the Lakers. This should be another cakewalk win at home.