Here is what you need to know before the Lakers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
1)
The Lakers will unveil a new starting lineup against Oklahoma City. Coming off of a season-best, 29-point performance against Philadelphia, Jeremy Lin will join the starting five. Ryan Kelly will as well, shifting over to his natural power forward position.
2)
The Lakers have outrebounded each of their last eight opponents by a combined 87 boards. During this stretch, the Lakers are averaging the second-most rebounds in the league (47.8), while holding their opponents to the fewest in the NBA (36.9).
3)
However, the Lakers have a tough foe on the glass in Oklahoma City, as the Thunder lead the league with 47.7 boards per game this season — 4.8 more than their opponents. The home team also grabs the second-most offensive rebounds (12.7), which has translated in to an NBA-high 15.1 second-chance points.
4)
The Lakers are looking to break a three-game losing streak against the Thunder. L.A. has also dropped five consecutive games in Oklahoma City, last winning there on Feb. 27, 2011.
5)
Snagging that win should prove difficult for the Lakers, as Oklahoma City has been excellent at home lately. The Thunder have won each of their last five contests at Chesapeake Energy Arena, along with 19 of their last 21. During this span, Oklahoma City is beating its opponents by an average score of 110-100.
6)
Oklahoma City will be without two of its three best players: Kevin Durant (foot soreness) and Serge Ibaka (right knee surgery). Durant, the reigning MVP, has averaged 25.4 points in his 27 contests this season, while Ibaka ranks second in the NBA in both blocks (2.9) and opponent field goal percentage at the rim (40.8).
7)
Russell Westbrook has constantly put on explosive performances this season, as he leads the league with nine triple-doubles, while no other player has more than three. The UCLA product has also collected more triple-doubles in just three quarters (four) than anybody else has total.
8)
Outside of his triple-doubles, Westbrook has still been a dynamic everyday player, as he leads the league in scoring (26.9), while placing fourth in assists (8.7) and second in steals (2.2). The Hawthorne native also paces the NBA in usage rate (37.9) and fast-break points (7.9), though he leads in turnovers (4.4) as well.
9)
Enes Kanter has been a strong offensive presence for Oklahoma City lately, as he has recorded a double-double in a career-best five straight games. During this stretch, the Switzerland native has averaged 21.8 points and 13.6 rebounds, while shooting 57.5 percent from the field.
10)
The Thunder head into Tuesday’s matchup as winners of five of their last six games. During this stretch, Oklahoma City leads the league in rebounds (50.2) and second-chance points (19.2), while ranking second in scoring (112.5). Meanwhile, Westbrook is tops in the NBA scoring (28.8) and assists (11.8), while Kanter leads in points in the paint (16.4) and second-chance points (7.8).