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Lakers vs. Wizards prediction: Kyle Kuzma makes the Lakers look foolish

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 6, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 6, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are hosting the Washington Wizards on Friday night and this is a meaningful game because of the Russell Westbrook trade from the offseason. While Westbrook did not have deep roots in Washington, Laker fans are seeing several former Lakers return.

Montrezl Harrell is no longer on the team as he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline but Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are making their returns to the Staples Center.

Kuzma is the more intriguing returning player as he was drafted by the Lakers and his tenure with the team was constantly filled with rumors on when he would eventually be traded. Laker fans had high hopes for him early on that never quite materialized, making him one of the most polarizing players on the roster.

You know that Kyle Kuzma has had this game circled on his calendar all season and because of that, this prediction is rather straightforward.

Lakers vs Wizards prediction: Kyle Kuzma drops 30 on the Lakers.

Look, the Washington Wizards don’t really have anything to play for. After a red-hot start to the season the Wizards quickly fizzled out and they have been without Bradley Beal for quite some time. Washington is currently 29-35 and is a game and a half out of the Play-In Tournament.

The players are not going to roll over and not try and make the play-in but there is less pressure in Washington than there is in LA and this allows the team to let Kyle Kuzma take his revenge game.

We know that Kuzma can get hot and go on scoring spurts, we saw it firsthand with the Lakers. This season Kuzma is averaging 17.2 points per game and he has scored over 30 points four times. The former Laker is particularly hot in recent games, as he is averaging 25.5 points in his last six.

All that has led up to this showdown with the Lakers. We know that LA has a bad defense and is there really anyone on this team that can slow down an athletic forward like Kuzma who has a bit extra to play for? LeBron’s knee is sore and Anthony Davis is not playing. Trevor Ariza is old and slow and Avery Bradley is far too small.

It might not always look pretty, but Kuzma is going to be attacking the hole constantly in this game as well as pulling up from three. All in the name of trying to make his former team look silly for trading him and getting that last laugh over some of his former teammates.

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And quite frankly, it will be infuriating to watch. Because as Kuzma goes off for 30 points, even if we know that he is inconsistent, we will know that it is better than watching Russell Westbrook go 18-8-7 with six turnovers and a 33% shooting percentage.

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