Trotting out a relatively young roster featuring rookies and sophomores like D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, the Lakers will have plenty of time to mesh together on the road in the beginning of the season.
The Lakers’ schedule, which was released on Wednesday, features six road games in L.A.’s first nine contests — including a five-game, eight-day trip from Nov. 6-13. Fortunately for the Lakers, head coach Byron Scott believes that long road trips are benefits that allow teammates to get to know each other and come together.
Another positive for L.A. is the lack of elite teams on its early schedule. Of the Lakers’ first 11 opponents, only two were playoff teams — Dallas (who they face twice in this span) and Brooklyn. Likewise, across 16 games in October and November, the Lakers play only seven games against five postseason teams. Aside from reigning champion Golden State, these foes managed a combined four playoff wins.
October/November
Games: 16
Home: 7
Away: 9
Playoff Opponents: 7
National TV Games: 2
Home Opponents: Minnesota, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Toronto, Portland, Indiana
Road Destinations: Sacramento, Brooklyn, New York, Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Phoenix, Golden State, Portland
Key Matchups
Oct. 28 vs. Minnesota (7:30 p.m.; ESPN and Time Warner Cable SportsNet)
The 2015-16 season tips off with a matchup between the top two picks of the NBA Draft. Russell and the purple and gold will face off against the Timberwolves and center Karl-Anthony Towns. In addition to this duel between First- (Russell) and Second-Team All-Americans, the opener also features a clash between veteran legends, as Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett meet for the 76th time in their careers.
Nov. 8 at New York (12:30 p.m.; Time Warner Cable SportsNet)
Playing in Madison Square Garden is always special, but this trip could be even more so considering that it may be Bryant’s final game at the legendary arena. Bryant, who will consider retiring after this season, has scored at least 30 points in nine of his 15 career trips to New York City — including a then-stadium record 61-point performance on Feb. 2, 2009. This year’s battle is also set to be Bryant’s first against former coach Phil Jackson and longtime teammate Derek Fisher.
Nov. 24 at Golden State (7:30 p.m.; TNT)
The Lakers get their first look at the defending champions with a trip to Oakland toward the end of the month. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors beat L.A. by at least 20 in last season’s first two tilts, but the Lakers cruised to victory on Dec. 23 and fell by three on March 16.