The Lakers (3-0) aim to keep their undefeated run alive on Thursday when they take on the Chicago Bulls (1-2). The purple and gold look to solidify a spot in the semifinals with a victory.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls
When: 3 p.m. PT, July 16
Where: Thomas & Mack Center
Watch: Prime Video
This Summer League tournament has been everything the Lakers could have hoped for and more.
Cameron Carr and Adou Theiro are leading an unbeaten team featuring the most determined and gritty players you’ll
see in this kind of setting. The squad plays hard on both sides of the floor, shown by them beating their opponents by a significant margin each contest. Los Angeles now has a point differential total of 47 points over the last three games.
And oh, did I mention that they’re also currently undefeated? Pardon me, it’s been a while since L.A. has looked this good in Summer League.
And better yet, they have a legitimate chance to actually win the championship. It’s hard not to think about how meaningful winning this championship would be for Theiro, Carr and the rest of the group. But they’re going to have to work for it to make it happen.
Caleb Wilson and the Bulls
On Thursday, the Lakers will face a Bulls team led by their lottery pick in Caleb Wilson, who they selected No. 4 overall. The big man from the University of North Carolina has balled out this summer, averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals across three games. He’s easily going to be the Lakers’ biggest threat.
But the question is, will the Lakers allow Wilson to be the best player on the floor? This is where Carr, Theiro and Arthur Kaluma — who has averaged the most points for the purple and gold in the tournament — should shine. The key for the L.A. is to maintain their defensive intensity and superb ball movement on offense.
This Lakers team has excelled at forcing turnovers and turning them into transition opportunities, a formula that could be even more effective against a Bulls team that likes to push the pace. If the purple and gold impose their strength, athleticism and height, they should be able to contain Wilson and company.
Playoff bound?
To qualify for the Summer League semifinals, the Lakers need to finish among the top four teams in the standings, which they currently do. Given that they’re one of the two undefeated teams in the tournament, they’re in a good position to secure a playoff spot.
Currently, the top four teams besides the Lakers are the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. The four-team playoff bracket will be finalized based on win-loss records and point differentials from the elimination round.
That said, it would be ideal for the Lakers to keep their pristine record. And for as long as they continue to play the way they have, there’s a good chance that more success is on the horizon. Let’s see if the Lakers can inch closer to a championship against the Bulls on Thursday.
Notes and Updates
- Besides Carr’s 23-point night, Chris Mañon deserves praise for his 17-point output in the win against the L.A. Clippers.
- Kaluma continues to shine and is easily the best candidate to take the Lakers’ two-way spot.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
