The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a much slower start than expected in the 2021-22 season. The team that was expected to be the title favorites in the Western Conference is barely looking like a play-in team, taking the back seat to teams like the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.
We are over a quarter of the way into the season and the Lakers have to figure it out sooner or later. The month of December could prove to be a huge month for the Lakers, who can hopefully start to catch fire and climb the Western Conference standings.
The Lakers have 14 games in the month of December and we decided to predict the outcome of all 14 with what we know about the team.
Predicting every Los Angeles Lakers game in December
December 3 vs Los Angeles Clippers: Loss
LeBron James was just put into the NBA’s health and safety protocols and it is unclear how long he is going to be out of action. One thing is for certain: he likely won’t play in Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers have not been great this season and are missing Kawhi Leonard. However, Paul George has really elevated his play and the Clippers are a more cohesive unit than the Lakers are right now.
December 7 vs Boston Celtics: Win
The Lakers fell to the Boston Celtics in the first matchup between the two rivals and this time at home they will get the job done. LeBron could be back by this game if he produces two false negatives but either way, the Lake Show will get revenge on the Celtics.
There is no way Dennis Schroder has the kind of game that he had the first time around with Lakers Nation booing him in LA.
December 9 at Memphis Grizzlies: Win
The hope is that the Lakers eventually figure it out and can get on a roll and if they do figure it out they should beat a team like Memphis every single time. This is going to be a close and gritty road game for the Lakers but with no Ja Morant the Lakers should get it done.
December 10 at Oklahoma City Thunder: Win
The Lakers already have one embarrassing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and while this is a road back-to-back, I highly doubt they are going to suffer defeat to the Thunder again. The Thunder are in play for the no. 1 overall pick and it is really hard to lose to a team like that twice in the first three months of the season.
That being said, nothing would surprise me with this Lakers team anymore.
Predicting every Los Angeles Lakers game, December 12-18:
December 12 vs Orlando Magic: Win
The Orlando Magic are another team that is likely going to be near the top of the 2022 NBA Draft. They are a young team that finally hit the reset button last season and are dead-last in the Eastern Conference with a 4-18 record.
If the Lakers lose to the Magic at home then something will seriously be wrong with this team. Once again, nothing surprises me with the Lakers at this point but this is a Magic team that is better off losing.
December 15 at Dallas Mavericks: Lose
The Dallas Mavericks have had an interesting season thus far. The Western Conference is pretty mediocre outside of Phoenix and Golden State thus far and at 10-9 the Mavericks check-in at fourth in the Western Conference.
While he is undoubtedly incredible, Luka Doncic has not had the kind of start that his fans were expecting. This was built up as the year that Luka would make the jump and be the MVP of the league. Instead, he came into the season a little out of shape and continues to play some of the worst defense among his superstar peers.
All that being said, this is a nationally televised game on ESPN and Luka will look to wow his home fans against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers and will do so with a win.
December 17 at Minnesota Timberwolves: Win
The Los Angeles Lakers got blown out by the Timberwolves last time these two teams played and with LeBron likely back in action, the Lakers will flip the result and get the best of the Timberwolves in this December matchup.
This might seem hopeful based on how the Lakers have played thus far this season but this is when the team should start picking up steam and beat the teams that they should be beating.
Predicting every Los Angeles Lakers game, December 19-25:
December 19 at Chicago Bulls: Lose
The Chicago Bulls had their way with the Los Angeles Lakers when the two teams matched up earlier this season and I do not see the outcome going any different in the second matchup, even if LeBron James plays.
The Bulls are a team with an identity that plays good defense. The Lakers are still fighting for their identity and play poor defense. While the Lakers’ size could give the Bulls some trouble, Chicago will get the job done.
MUST-READ: How the Lakers could have been a better version of the Chicago Bulls
December 21 vs Phoenix Suns: Lose
The Lakers have shown us nothing to predict them to beat the best team in the Western Conference. Could the Lakers figure it out in the next three weeks and give the Suns a competitive game? Absolutely. I just don’t see it happening.
It does not matter how poorly the Lakers are playing, every team is going to go into a matchup against the Lakers with that extra bit of juice to make a statement over LeBron James and co.
December 23 vs San Antonio Spurs: Win
The Los Angeles Lakers should be able to take care of a Spurs team that lacks starpower and depth, even if they are bringing that extra bit of juice. Not much analysis here. At this point in the season, a win over the Spurs should be a guarantee.
December 25 vs Brooklyn Nets: Lose
Sorry to ruin everyone’s Christmas but I just do not see how the Lakers can beat the Brooklyn Nets, even if the Nets are not playing up to their ceiling, either. The Nets are still playing much better than the Lakers are and the advanced metrics bear that out as true.
Brooklyn ranks sixth in the NBA in net rating this season while the Lakers rank 22nd.
Predicting every Los Angeles Lakers game, December 26-31
December 28 at Houston Rockets: Win
The Los Angeles Lakers get two days off following the Christmas game and come back to action against the Houston Rockets, who are not the biggest challenge in the league. While the Rockets have actually strung together some wins recently, this is a team that wants to be near the bottom of the league this season.
The Lakers take care of the Rockets to wash their mouths clean of the taste of defeat from the Christmas day matchup against the Nets.
December 29 at Memphis Grizzlies: Win
A road back-to-back with the second game in Memphis is a daunting task for any team with how the Grizzlies play basketball. That being said, this is still going to be a Grizzlies team without Ja Morant and that should make a world of difference for the Lakers.
The Lakers shouldn’t lose to a Grizzlies team without Ja Morant nearly halfway through the season.
December 31 vs Portland Trail Blazers: Loss
While the Trail Blazers have not been amazing this season they are still a team that you cannot take lightly, especially with Damian Lillard seemingly having a good game every time he steps on the court at the Staples Center (which at this point will be the Crypto.com Arena).
The name change won’t change the fact that Lillard will likely have a big game to lead the Blazers over the Lakers, who will be looking to far ahead at their New Year’s Eve plans for later that night.
We are predicting the Los Angeles Lakers to go 8-6 in the month of December, putting them at 20-17 on the season through December.