Here is what you need to know before the Lakers face the Sacramento Kings in a preseason exhibition in Las Vegas.
1)
Coming off a 13-point, 13-rebound effort against Portland, Julius Randle will see what he can do against a Kings frontcourt led by DeMarcus Cousins. Randle and Cousins were both one of nine players to average a double-double last year. Randle did it in the fewest minutes of anybody (28.9), while Cousins was a top-five player in both scoring (26.9) and rebounding (11.5).
2)
Despite coming off the bench, Jordan Clarkson has been the Lakers’ most reliable player this preseason. Luke Walton has likened him to Lamar Odom and Manu Ginobili in this sense that he sees Clarkson as having a starter among the reserves to stagger the rotation. The move has paid off thus far, as Clarkson has scored double figures in all four games, averaging 13.5 points in 21.1 minutes.
3)
As expected, the rookie Lakers are taking their time to adjust to the NBA game. Brandon Ingram has shot just 5-of-21, while Ivica Zubac is at 2-of-6 in only 18 minutes played. While Zubac hasn’t been given the time to show much else, Ingram has at least been able to provide spacing and defensive length. Throw in the fact that he plays in the Lakers’ most successful combination — the second unit — and he finds himself at a team-leading +39 in 87 minutes.
4)
The Kings are packed with former Lakers, from the players — Matt Barnes and Jordan Farmar — to the staff — player development coach Larry Lewis — to the front office — general manager Vlade Divac. They were unable to close out their first game against their old team, as the Lakers rallied past Sacramento in the preseason opener, 103-84.
5)
This game will be played at Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena, which already has big plans in the sports world. The stadium will host December’s UFC title fight between Amanda Nunes and Ronda Rousey, as well as Vegas’ incoming, yet-to-be-named NHL team next season. On the musical side, the arena will hold concerts for the likes of The Rolling Stones and Kanye West in this month alone.
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW