Lakers Resting Players Tuesday to Be Ready for Luka's Homecoming in Dallas Wednesday

[WildArkieBoy]

Several Lakers players, including LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent are listed as questionable due to various injuries for Tuesday's game against the Thunder. Rui Hachimura is ruled out.  Hopefully, the Lakers will have a full squad for Luka's homecoming in Dallas Wednesday.

wab

[omahen]

Several Lakers players, including LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent are listed as questionable due to various injuries for Tuesday's game against the Thunder. Rui Hachimura is ruled out.  Hopefully, the Lakers will have a full squad for Luka's homecoming in Dallas Wednesday.

wab

Lakers are playing 4th and 5th game in 7 days today and tomorrow. From that perspective it is very understandeable that some rest is needed. It is obviously much higher possibility they win against Mavs than OKC, so (if rest is needed), it makes sense to go all in on the second game and not the first one.

Still, they need 2 wins in last 4 games to make the playoffs (this would also lock them on third spot). Intentionally dropping a game means you need to win 2 out of 3 and room for mistakes/bad days gets smaller. 

It will be interesting for me to see, who will be more motivated in Mavs-LAL game. I think Mavs players are fed up with all the Luka drama they don't really have a lot to do with. I think they will want to show fans they are still here. On the other side, I don't think Lakers players  (other than Luka of course) really care for this one, other than the obvious need to win in a playoff race. Even Luka, his beef is with Nico/Dumont, not the players. He doesn't hate the players. My expectation is, that Mavs will be very motivated and look surprisingly good. Trap game for Lakers.

[omahen]

Looks like Lakers upgraded all their questionable players to probable. Only Hachimura is out, as they don't play him in B2B after his knee injury. Interesting

[cow]

Let's go Lakers! I hope they win by 50.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Luka doesn't need any vengeance , i think (or maybe just hope It) that he will play so chill and calm tomorrow... Otherwise Mavs will play like game7 in the Finals.

Probably a great W might ease some of the pain of these last few weeks... Or maybe not.

[WildArkieBoy]

Lakers are playing 4th and 5th game in 7 days today and tomorrow. From that perspective it is very understandeable that some rest is needed. It is obviously much higher possibility they win against Mavs than OKC, so (if rest is needed), it makes sense to go all in on the second game and not the first one.

Still, they need 2 wins in last 4 games to make the playoffs (this would also lock them on third spot). Intentionally dropping a game means you need to win 2 out of 3 and room for mistakes/bad days gets smaller. 

It will be interesting for me to see, who will be more motivated in Mavs-LAL game. I think Mavs players are fed up with all the Luka drama they don't really have a lot to do with. I think they will want to show fans they are still here. On the other side, I don't think Lakers players  (other than Luka of course) really care for this one, other than the obvious need to win in a playoff race. Even Luka, his beef is with Nico/Dumont, not the players. He doesn't hate the players. My expectation is, that Mavs will be very motivated and look surprisingly good. Trap game for Lakers.

Yea. My info was wrong.  J.J. Redick says anyone who's medically cleared for OKC is playing and that of the 4 games remaining they want to win "all four."

wab

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Looks like the Lakers are headed for a loss, down 129-114 with 3 minutes to go in the game.

[FireNicoHarrison]

They were up 1 and then Luka was ejected... Without him it's a blowout.

[omahen]

It was a great game until refs decided they are the main stars. Tossed Luka (second tech) - he was talking/yelling at a fan after his basket (as he always does) and ref said he was yelling at him and tossed him. This was 7 minutes to go as he just entered fourth quarter with the game tied. Way to ruin a great game, refs. Both teams were insanely hot on offense in the first half.

[omahen]

OKC looked a better team in this game. Lakers hot shooting was keeping them in the game, but they only played good defense in the third quarter when they came back from 10 down. LeBron was particularly bad on both sides. Vincent is a funny guy. He either hits "every shot" or "nothing". No games in between for him. I think he was 5-5 from three in the first game and 1-6 in this one.

It is by no way certain that Lakers would win this one, OKC looked a better team, as I said. But refs really ruined the experience. I am sure OKC doesn't want to win this way, fans don't want it. Too bad.

[FireNicoHarrison]

OKC is a better team for sure but Fakers have Luka... Never bet against Luka Doncic. We know.

However Fakers are a no bigs mediocre team with a generation superstar, they look like our WCF Mavs.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

OKC is a better team for sure but Fakers have Luka... Never bet against Luka Doncic. We know.

However Fakers are a no bigs mediocre team with a generation superstar, they look like our WCF Mavs.

I have to disagree. The Lakers are statistically better on defense than they were with AD. They have big wings that can switch and guard people, DFS, Vando, and Rui.  When they all are playing on a string and making shots, they can be quite formidable. Luka adds another dimension to them, which allows Austin Reaves to flourish. Not saying they're championship material, but they are better than you suggest.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I have to disagree. The Lakers are statistically better on defense than they were with AD. They have big wings that can switch and guard people, DFS, Vando, and Rui.  When they all are playing on a string and making shots, they can be quite formidable. Luka adds another dimension to them, which allows Austin Reaves to flourish. Not saying they're championship material, but they are better than you suggest.

Yes i can understand your point... Maybe they are slighty better cause LeBron.

But i take Brunson over Reaves and younger DFS&Maxi over those DFS&Rui. Plus Luka in great shape.

We were an hell of 3 pointers team, Fakers are too erratics.