The Lakers (27-17) look to build off their recent victory in Dallas where they will take on the Bulls (23-22), who are also coming off an impressive win. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls
When: 5 p.m. PT, Jan. 26
Where: United Center
Watch: Spectrum SportsNet
For the first time in this current road trip, the Lakers didn’t allow themselves to go down by double figures before halftime against the Mavericks. Instead, they put on a terrific
two-way performance to begin the game and while they may have lost the lead in the third quarter, they staged a comeback to come away victorious. It was a different script this time, but one that perfectly encapsulates this team.
It’s uncertain how much longer this Lakers team can keep relying on comeback victories to save them but hey, if it’s working and leading to wins right now, then maybe they’re never going to change. After all, the purple and gold are now 14-2 in clutch games, which still ranks first in the league. This should once again be tested against the Bulls, who are also one of the best clutch teams in the association.
In fact, the Bulls are coming off an impressive clutch victory against the Boston Celtics and have now won four straight games. They also recently beat the Minnesota Timberwolves and L.A. Clippers. They average 117.9 points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Their offense is what propels them to victory because, similar to the Lakers, their defense is below average.
Chicago may not have All-Stars on its team, but it has players who can play like one on any given night. Coby White is someone that Los Angeles may have a tough time with, as well as Matas Buzelis and Kevin Huerter, given their lack of perimeter defense. Chicago also has the likes of Josh Giddey and Nikola Vučević, who can impact the game when they want to. The Lakers’ defense — which has shown promise in spurts over the last three games — needs to be present in this one.
Note that the Bulls are the seventh-best 3-point shooting team in the league and are a very good rebounding team, qualities that the Lakers don’t possess. However, the Bulls don’t score and defend well inside the paint, so that’s where the Lakers can take advantage.
Will L.A. go with their small-ball lineup that spearheaded the comeback against the Mavericks last Saturday? Or will they go big and give Deandre Ayton — who had one of his worst games as a Laker on Saturday — the opportunity to bounce back? Whatever the case may be, the Lakers will need another good game from Luka Dončić because the Bulls don’t have an answer for him or for LeBron James.
The Lakers have been extremely up-and-down as of late. They haven’t won three straight games since Jan.7 but at least they’re performing better recently. This roadtrip has so far been good for them and if they keep it up, they’ll be able to avoid falling into the play-in category of the competitive Western Conference standings.
Now that they head east, let’s see if Los Angeles can keep their winning ways going.
Notes and Updates
- The Lakers’ injury report has a new name on it in Jake LaRavia (left quad contusion) who is questionable.
- As expected, Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) are listed as out.
- For the Bulls, Tre Jones (left hamstring strain) is doubtful while Zach Collins (right toe sprain) and Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery) are out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
