After a quick stop in Portland where they managed to steal a victory without their three best players, the Lakers are back home again where they will take on the San Antonio Spurs. This is their last home game
in the next two weeks as they go on a five-game road trip after this one.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
When: 7 p.m. PT, Nov 5
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: ESPN, Spectrum Sportsnet
The Lakers continued their winning ways on Monday, improving their record to 6-2 as they move to the No. 3 seed in the competitive Western Conference. Given their health situation, it’s been an ideal start to the season for the purple and gold as they continue to build confidence, chemistry and momentum.
On Wednesday, they’ll face one of their toughest opponents yet this season in Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, who are also off to an impressive start (5-1). This is the best start that San Antonio has had in franchise history and that’s not a coincidence because Wembanyama has been incredible and the team around him is so much better compared to the last two years.
Unlike last season, Wemby is no longer taking too many 3-pointers. His shot selection has improved in that he’s now scoring more at will and is averaging 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.7 blocks, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals a game.
He’s reaching the level of not being able to be defended individually, which is why it’s going to be interesting to see how head coach JJ Redick game plans against him. My guess is Redick’s going to adopt the Phoenix Suns’ defensive scheme, which was a big reason why the Spurs dropped their first game against them last Monday.
Besides Wemby, there’s obviously Stephon Castle, who is a really good player and capable scorer for them. Then there’s Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie, who Lakers fans should know by now are pests to play against — especially when they’re making their shots and clicking in all cylinders.
That said, it’s also fair to argue that this Spurs team will have its hands full with Luka Dončić, who is no longer listed on the injury report and is expected to suit up in this one. Dončić, who has a 18-5 record against the Spurs, has torched them dating back to his days with the Dallas Mavericks and it’ll be exciting to see whether or not he’ll do it for the first time as Laker on Wednesday.
For LA, the key is going to be how much pressure they can create on the Spurs defense, which currently ranks second best in the league behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers need to overwhelm the Spurs with their ability to score and that’s where the likes of Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, Austin Reaves (if he suits up) comes in.
In fairness to all of them, they’ve shown that they’re more than capable of doing that as that’s one of the biggest reasons why they’re currently on a four-game winning streak.
If the Lakers can find a way to just contain Wembanyama and make sure he doesn’t dominate while getting their’s on offense, they have a high chance of improving their streak to five in a row. Let’s see if the purple and gold can get this one at home before they go off on their longest road trip yet.
Notes and Updates
- For the Lakers’ injury report, LeBron James (right sciatica), Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain), Adou Thiero (left knee surgery recovery) and Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain) are out.
- Austin Reaves (right groin soreness) is questionable while Jaxson Hayes (right ankle sprain) is probable.
- Meanwhile, the Spurs list De’Aaron Fox (right hamstring strain), Dylan Harper (left calf strain) and Luke Kornet (left ankle sprain) as out.
- Jeremy Sochan (left wrist sprain), Kelly Olynyk (left heel surgery) and Lindy Waters III (bilateral eye procedure) are questionable.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
