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After playing on the road in 22 of their first 33 games, the Lakers will finally get to enjoy consistent home-court advantage in January. Thirteen of The Lakers’ 17 contests that month take place at STAPLES Center, including one “road” match with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The purple and gold will look to take advantage of this scheduling quirk, especially considering the absurdly talented rogues gallery that will be paying the Lakers a visit.
Twelve of the 15 players named to one of the three All-NBA teams last season will face the Lakers at STAPLES Center in January.
First Team All-NBA
Stephen Curry: Jan. 5
James Harden: Jan. 17
Anthony Davis: Jan. 12
LeBron James: N/A
Marc Gasol: N/A
Second Team All-NBA
Chris Paul: Jan. 29
Russell Westbrook: Jan. 8
LaMarcus Aldridge: Jan. 22
Pau Gasol: Jan. 28
DeMarcus Cousins: Jan. 20
Third Team All-NBA
Klay Thompson: Jan. 5
Blake Griffin: Jan. 29
Tim Duncan: Jan. 20
DeAndre Jordan: Jan. 29
Kyrie Irving: N/A
January
Games: 17
Home: 12
Away: 5
Playoff Opponents: 9
National TV Games: 4
Home Opponents: Philadelphia, Phoenix, Golden State, Oklahoma City, Utah, New Orleans, Houston, Sacramento, San Antonio, Dallas, Chicago, Charlotte
Road Destinations: Sacramento, Golden State, Utah, Portland, Clippers
Key Matchups
Jan. 12 vs. New Orleans (7:30 p.m.; Time Warner Cable SportsNet/Deportes)
Just three years into his career, Anthony Davis already has two all-star nods, one gold medal and a selection to last year’s All-NBA First Team. The 22-year-old led the NBA in player efficiency rating last season (30.8) and visits the Lakers only once in 2015-16.
Jan. 17 vs. Houston (6:30 p.m.; Time Warner Cable SportsNet/Deportes)
From 2006 to 2013, Kobe Bryant was named First Team All-NBA for eight straight seasons. But with injuries hampering the 17-time all-star over the past two years, James Harden has assumed that position with back-to-back First Team nods and a runner-up finish in last season’s MVP voting. In addition to this duel between shooting guards, one-time Laker Dwight Howard will be back in L.A., which always provokes a, well, "spirited" response from the home crowd.
Jan. 28 vs. Chicago (7:30 p.m.; TNT)
In more than six seasons together, Bryant and Pau Gasol teamed up to lead L.A. to its 15th and 16th NBA championships in franchise history. However, in January the two former teammates are slated to face each other for the first time since January 2008. Bryant was injured for both of the Lakers’ meeting with the Bulls last year, but Gasol reached at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in each one.
