Less than 24 hours after being blown out by the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers (23-13) are back on their home floor where they will take on the streaking Atlanta Hawks (20-21) on Tuesday.
This is the final regular season meeting between the teams.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks
When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Jan. 13
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
This week for the Lakers is going to be one of their toughest this season. They’re going to play five games in seven nights and Tuesday’s game might
just be the most challenging one. The purple and gold will host a Hawks team that just revamped their roster after trading Trae Young and one that’s currently playing inspired basketball.
Just like how it usually is after a team makes a trade, the Hawks look energized and determined to turn their season around, at least based on their recent 13-point road win against the Warriors. CJ McCollum — the main piece the Hawks received in exchange for Young — may no longer be the player he once was but he’s still a veteran leader who will not only push this Hawks team to do well but will also contribute what he can. He’s someone the Lakers should watch out for on Tuesday.
Besides McCollum, the Hawks are led by Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who have pretty much been the team’s top two best scorers this season — even when Young was still a Hawk. Supporting Johnson and NAW are the likes of Luke Kennard and Dyson Daniels, who both specialize in their roles and can impact the game when they’re feeling it, just like what happened against the Warriors.
Remember, when these two teams first faced each other in November, the Lakers were run out of the gym. Granted, they didn’t have LeBron James and Austin Reaves in that one but the Hawks also didn’t have Young and Kristaps Porzingis then. Atlanta had a terrific shooting night from the 3-point line (41%) and seven of their rotation players scored in double figures. The Hawks also dominated that game in the paint (62-46) and in transition (22-8). Expect them to attack the game the same way.
That’s why this one’s going to be a tough one for Los Angeles, but it’s one they’re going to have to grit out. Luka Dončić will have to carry the team, especially if James — who hasn’t played in the second night of a back-to-back this season — sits this one out. He will need help from his supporting cast and it’s going to be up to Rui Hachimura, DeAndre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and co. to come through. They will have to play significantly better than they did against the Kings.
The regular season in the NBA can become very demanding and grueling, where the Lakers find themselves right now. It’s a challenge that they’re going to have to conquer. Let’s see how they navigate through this time as they aim to snap their three-game loisng streak against the Hawks on Tuesday.
Notes and Updates
- The Lakers are 2-4 this season when playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
- Since the Lakers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, there is no injury report yet for this one. However, it’s safe to assume that Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (MCL sprain) are out.
- As for the Hawks, Luke Kennard (neck sprain), Zaccharie Risacher (knee) and Asa Newell (right quad contusion) are questionable. Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
