Cavs And Lakers Battle To Get Back On Track
SteemSports Presenter:@mateonav53
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
If today's game between the Eagles and Saints ends up being a blowout on either side, you can turn into Sunday evening's NBA action instead. The Los Angeles Lakers will be hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center at 6:30 PM PST / 9:30 PM EST.
The showdown between LeBron's current team and former will take place with James taking the floor in an NBA jersey. He'll be watching from the sidelines as he continues to nurse his groin injury incurred against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. The Lakers haven't given a firm date on his return with this tricky injury, instead opting to re-evaluate him week after week. At the age of 34, LeBron should get every possible bit of rest he needs to be ready for playoff time in April. The question is, can the young Laker's ship hold course without him?
LA is 3-6 since losing James on Christmas, and they've been dealing with a rash of additional absences including Kyle Kuzma, Tyson Chandler, JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley, and Rajon Rondo. Not having James is tough, but dealing with the lack of impactful veteran presences (Rondo, McGee, Chandler) and potent scoring threats (Kuzma, Beasley) has made the hard times even harder.
The Lakers defense has held up surprisingly well (3rd in the league according to NBA.com), but the offense has been a trainwreck (dead last according to NBA.com). If you've watched them play without James the last nine games, you can immediately believe in their league-worst rank on offense. The defensive ranking would catch a lot of people by surprise.
Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball have both caught a lot of heat for their underperformances. But in the games that they have been successful, Brandon Ingram will often find himself cutting into the key like a young Euro-stepping Manu Ginobili while Ball will provide a brief scoring punch from the perimeter in addition to grade A defense and playmaking. If the kids play to their strengths tonight, they'll no doubt stand a chance against the 8-35 Cleveland Cavaliers.
If the Lakers are going to win, they'll undoubtedly turn the paint into an all-you-can-eat buffet. Given Cleveland's injuries to key big men (Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr.) Look for the Lakers to take advantage of this in tonight's match-up. Both teams are coming off of losing times (Cavs 12-game losing streak, Lakers got smoked by the Jazz on Friday), so you know each side is hungry for a hit of positivity. I think the Lakers should take this one easily...but I just don't know given their inconsistent offensive play. We will see who emerges victorious!
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How the hell did they lose lmao?!