The Los Angeles Lakers will hope to continue their winning ways when they host the Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena on Friday.
After an emphatic win over the Brooklyn Nets, the Lakers had a good four-day break which now sees their team at near full strength with the likes of Dennis Schroder and Thomas Bryant set to suit up for the first time this season.
Currently 3-10, the Lakers face a team that has an equally worse record. The Pistons are 3-13 following their 96-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, and for the Purple and Gold, this will be a chance to add another win to their tally.
Coming back to the return of Schroder and Bryant, it’s hard to imagine the two making a splash, but it does give coach Darvin Ham two reliable options who bring scoring and size advantage to a team that’s woefully short of sharpshooters.
The imminent return of LeBron James (maybe with reduced minutes) will further bolster the Lakers, who already have a consistent Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook playing their parts.
Ahead of a matchup that leans towards Los Angeles, here’s a look at the expected starters, the injury report, and the prediction.
Los Angeles Lakers Expected Lineups And Injuries Updates
ESPN listed LeBron James and Anthony Davis as day-to-day. The veteran missed three games so far in the season, and two of them were after he strained his left adductor. However, with the schedule giving him ample recovery time, James is almost certain to take the floor.
Davis has been a regular in the squad so far, despite dealing with persistent back injuries. His back has taken quite the treatment, but the big man has been playing through the pain and has been dishing out the numbers.
Schroder and Bryant are set to make their season debuts, and that sees them off the injury roster for the first time after 13 games.
Juan Toscano-Anderson is listed as day-to-day with mild back soreness, while Max Christie will miss the game after entering the health and safety protocols. Cole Swider will continue to miss out on a few more games.
With James and Schroder back in the fold, The Lakers starters might see a bit of a change with Dennis Schroder (G), Lonnie Walker IV (G), Troy Brown Jr. (F), Lebron James (F), and Anthony Davis (C).
Detroit Pistons Expected Lineups And Injuries Updates
The Pistons will miss the services of Cade Cunningham, whose left shin soreness will sideline him for a week. Also missing out will be Isiah Stewart. The Center sustained a big toe injury and will be re-evaluated after two to three weeks.
Ahead of their clash against the Clippers, Detroit called up forward Braxton Key, as cover following Stewart’s injury, but didn’t suit up
The Pistons will most likely go with the same unit they fielded against the Clippers. Jaden Ivey (G), Killian Hayes (G), Saddiq Bey (F), Bojan Bogdanovich (F), and Marvin Bagley III (C) will likely be the starters.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Prediction
Ideally, the Lakers must have this in the bag, considering they’re taking on a side that’s lost five games in a row, and have the fourth-worst offensive rating in the league.
With Cade and Stewart out for the clash, the Lakers’ job only becomes easier, even if they decide to rest James for one more game. At the time of writing, they’re at the bottom of the offensive ratings and in three-point percentages. This might be the game where they can perhaps stack some better numbers and improve their positioning.
It may not do much for the side, given they will go 4-10, but Los Angeles will take a win, however it comes.
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