The Lakers kick off a six game road trip tonight in Milwaukee. Normally this sort of thing would be looked on with some bit of dread, especially given that the Lakers have been a horrible road team all season.
And certainly Monday's game against the Bucks will be a major challenge, especially in light of LeBron James being downgraded to doubtful ahead of the contest thanks to the same ankle that's kept him on the injury report all year. Hopefully he/the Lakers are just picking one day for LBJ to rest in the space of a back to back... but there's really know way to know until Wednesday when the Lakers arrive in Memphis. But as for this one, yes, the Lakers beat the Bucks recently, but Milwaukee has played better of late, and is unquestionably a contender in the East. This would be a losable game with or without James.
But hey, maybe the Lakers surprise shorthanded. Wouldn't be the first time, this season.
And moreover, once THIS game is done, the Lakers get some real opportunities. Wednesday vs. a terrible Memphis squad. Then an Indiana team they just beat, and the Nets, Raptors and Wizards. 4-2 is the bare minimum that is acceptable for a trip like this one.
And it's important, because the Phoenix Suns have a very difficult path ahead of them (made even more difficult when they lost to the freakin' Spurs on Monday, after this show was recorded). A solid late run to end the year from LA (think 9-2, 8-3) could be enough to move them to the 7 spot, because Phoenix plays 10 straight games against Western Conference playoff teams. But the Lakers have to do their part, and even then it still won't be easy.
Plus... more on Spencer Dinwiddie, and how his recent surge could impact the team going forward, including different lineup combinations. Why has Cam Reddish been finishing games over Rui Hachimura? And what, exactly, did scurvy do to the human body?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers will face Milwaukee (almost surely) without LeBron.
SEGMENT 2: Things are tightening a little around the Suns. Plus, a small defensive bright spot?
SEGMENT 3: Cam over Rui, more Reddish, more schedule.
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