Lakers schedule: Predicting the outcome of every game in 2023-24
By Jason Reed
Lakers schedule predictions, November:
November 1 vs Los Angeles Clippers: WIN
The Clippers have absolutely dominated the Lakers in the regular season lately, winning 11 games in a row. The safe prediction is to pick the Clippers to extend the streak to 12. However, this game is early enough in the season for the Lakers to have both stars playing to snap the streak.
November 4 at Orlando Magic: WIN
Being on the other side of the country is not going to help the Magic defeat the Lakers. As previously mentioned, the Lakers are still going to be fresh just six games into the season.
November 6 at Miami Heat: LOSS
On paper, the Lakers are a more talented team than the Miami Heat. But South Beach is a hard place to play and the Lakers cannot win them all.
November 8 at Houston Rockets: WIN
Ime Udoka should improve the Houston Rockets and the hope for Rockets fans is that the young talent starts to blossom. That will take time and this early-season matchup should be a comfortable win for LA.
November 10 at Phoenix Suns: WIN
This is the first game of the In-Season Tournament and the Lakers are going to come into it with an extra chip on their shoulder after the home opener. Just a few weeks after the first loss, LA gets payback.
November 12 vs Portland Trail Blazers: LOSS
Damian Lillard might still be in Portland by the time this game is played but that is not why we are predicting a loss. This is an easy game to circle as a load-management game for the Lakers. That is not going to work well against a high-energy rookie like Scoot Henderson.
November 14 vs Memphis Grizzlies: WIN
Memphis will still be without Ja Morant so this should be a relatively easy win for the Lakers at home. Los Angeles made quick work of Memphis in the NBA Playoffs with Ja. Imagine without him.
November 15 vs Sacramento Kings: LOSS
Back-to-backs are hard, especially against a team with a lot of athleticism like the Kings. Sacramento runs the Lakers up and down the court and steals a win in LA.
November 17 at Portland Trail Blazers: WIN
This game is part of the In-Season Tournament and there is no way the Lakers are going to let Portland beat them twice in a one-week span.
November 19 vs Houston Rockets: WIN
More of the same for a veteran Lakers team against a Houston team that is still trying to rewrite the culture of the franchise.
November 21 vs Utah Jazz: WIN
Utah was far better than anyone expected last season and the Jazz very well could sneak in as a play-in team this season. That being said, the Lakers are still more talented and should be able to win a close one at home.
November 22 vs Dallas Mavericks: LOSS
Once again, back-to-backs are hard to play in. Luka Doncic is already hard enough to guard as is. This will be a fun game (as they always are against Dallas) that LA will fall in.
November 25 at Cleveland Cavaliers: LOSS
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a really good basketball team that is probably being a bit underrated heading into this season. There is naturally going to be a losing streak at some point in the season and this is a logical point for the first.
November 27 at Philadelphia 76ers: WIN
It is impossible to tell whether or not James Harden is going to be playing in this game. As long as Anthony Davis and LeBron James are playing it should matter. It should be a Lakers win.
November 29 at Detroit Pistons: WIN
Detroit is going to be competing for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. There is no reason why the Lakers should lose this game.
November 30 at Oklahoma City Thunder: LOSS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder are the most exciting young NBA team in the league. The Thunder may end up looking like the 2021-22 Memphis Grizzlies with all the talent on the roster.
Record after November: 13-7