After taking care of business at home, the Lakers (6-2) head to Sacramento where they will take on the Kings (1-6) for the first time this season. Both teams enter this matchup coming off wins.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings
When: 7 p.m. PT, Nov. 4
Where: Golden 1 Center
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
The Lakers responded to their worst loss of the young season by stringing together two straight victories, which wasn’t an easy task considering that it happened in back-to-back games. Led by Luka
Dončić, who is just scorching hot right now, Los Angeles stands at 6-2.
Simply put: if the Lakers continue to perform and win at this rate, there’s little doubt they can secure a top-four spot in the Western Conference, health permitting. A big part of their success in finishing among the West’s top four over the last couple of seasons has been their ability to take care of business against teams lower in the standings.
Enter the Kings, who have had a tough start to their season. Sacramento has won only one of their first seven games. They’re 22nd in the league in points per game and are ranked 25th in offensive rating. The team is led by veterans Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, but so far it’s their rookie Darius Acuff Jr. who’s stealing the limelight. Acuff Jr. is averaging 26.1 points per game, so he’ll certainly be high on LA’s scouting report.
That said, there’s really no excuse for the Lakers to lose this game. They should be better in every facet and, while it’s tougher to beat opponents on their home floor, Los Angeles’ firepower should be enough to propel them to a win. Ideally, it’s the type of victory that won’t see Dončić play more than 36 minutes and that sees contributions across the board.
Maybe this is the perfect time for some of the role players to break out. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for Quentin Grimes and Colin Sexton to regain his shooting rhythm or maybe a monster-like game for Walker Kessler, who held up very well against Giannis Antetokounmpo in the win against the Miami Heat.
Jake LaRavia — who has been playing really well to begin the season — should be able to continue making his presence felt while Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jarred Vanderbilt will be given the opportunity to do so. And how about a proper debut for rookie Cameron Carr? It would be nice to see him go up against Acuff Jr.
We’ll see who comes up big for both teams as Pacific Division teams battle it out on Wednesday.
Notes and Updates
- Aside from having the 25th best offensive rating in the league, the Kings also don’t rebound the ball well (27th), just like the Lakers.
- For the Lakers’ injury report, only Adou Thiero (left knee injury management) is listed as out.
- As for the Kings, Keegan Murray (left ankle capsulitis), Maxime Raynaud (right patella subluxation) and Ben Simmons (right achilles tendon repair) are out. Precious Achiuwa (left ankle soreness) is probable.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
