Here is what you need to know before the Lakers face the San Antonio Spurs.
1)
Julius Randle was an absolute monster in the Lakers’ win over Brooklyn on Tuesday. The 21-year-old piled up 17 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists to notch the second triple-double of his career, joining Magic Johnson as the only Lakers with multiple triple-doubles before turning 22.
2)
Randle was far from the only one with a big night, as D’Angelo Russell was scorching from deep, scoring 32 points while hitting seven 3-pointers. Russell was particularly locked in to begin the game, as he racked up 17 points in the first quarter alone.
3)
The Lakers have been strong at Staples Center, winning four of their first five home games. However, the Spurs have been even better away from San Antonio, compiling a 6-0 record on the road.
4)
The Lakers are looking to break an extended streak against the Spurs, as they have lost seven straight games to San Antonio. Los Angeles hasn’t won the season series since the 2008-09 campaign.
5)
Much of the credit for the Spurs’ long record of success obviously belongs to Gregg Popovich. With a victory over the Lakers, he would pass Larry Brown (1,098) for the seventh-most wins by a coach in NBA history.
6)
As expected, Kawhi Leonard has been the Spurs’ top offensive threat, averaging 25.0 points this season. But the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been even more impressive on that end, leading the league in deflections (4.4) and ranking third in steals (2.42).
7)
Leonard is joined by fellow All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, who has also been known to fill the bucket. Aldridge (17.8 ppg) has scored in double figures for 21 straight games, while Leonard has done so for 56.
8)
Both teams saw one of their most iconic players in history retire last season. Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan’s distinguished careers combined for 33 All-Star selections, 10 championships and three MVP awards.
9)
To help fill the hole left by Duncan, the Spurs brought in a familiar face around L.A. Pau Gasol joins San Antonio after ranking fifth in the NBA in blocks last year (2.0) and sixth in rebounds (8.9). The 36-year-old was, of course, a key member alongside Bryant for the Lakers when they won the title in 2009 and 2010.
10)
The Spurs were well-represented in Rio de Janeiro this summer. Patty Mills scored the second-most points of all Olympians (21.3) for Australia, and Gasol ranked led the tournament in rebounding (8.9) for Spain. Meanwhile, Tony Parker represented France while Manu Ginobili and Nicolas Laprovittola suited up for Argentina.
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
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