Here is what you need to know before the Lakers tip off their annual Grammys trip against the Washington Wizards.
1)
In the Lakers’ last game, D’Angelo Russell had a huge impact after missing the previous week due to leg injuries. The sophomore pieced together one of his most complete games yet, racking up 22 points, seven rebounds and a career-high 10 assists to lead Los Angeles past the Denver Nuggets.
2)
Russell received some help from a fellow young Laker, as Ivica Zubac reset his career-high for the third straight game by scoring 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting. The 19-year-old excelled when given a larger role in January, finishing the month off by leading his rookie class in field goal percentage (54.8) and dobule-doubles (three).
3)
While Russell and Zubac certainly showed up, the veterans also left their mark in L.A.’s 120-116 win over the Nuggets. Nick Young led his team with 23 points, while Lou Williams scored 13 of his 21 in the fourth quarter alone to help the purple and gold outshoot the NBA’s third-highest scoring offense.
4)
The Lakers are tasked with the challenge of upending a Washington side that has been unbeatable at home since early December. The Wizards have won a league-best 15 straight games in D.C., which is the second-longest streak in franchise history.
5) Washington has been formidable both at home and on the road lately, winning nine of its last 10 games to put itself one game behind Toronto for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards have been dominant in this run, averaging a 12.0-point margin of victory while ranking second in the NBA in both 3-point percentage (40.2) and rebounds (46.5).
6)
The Wizards are led by John Wall, who will become the first player to represent Washington in four All-Star Games since Elvin Hayes 36 years ago. Wall certainly earned the trip to New Orleans, as he ranks second in the NBA in both assists (10.3) and steals (2.13) while also putting himself on pace for a career-high in scoring (22.7).
7)
Over the last four games Wall has been the team’s secondary scorer, as Bradley Beal has averaged 25.3 points on a blistering 63.1 percent clip from the field. Beal has been one of the league’s best at shooting off screens and currently ranks 11th in the league in 3-pointers (2.7).
8)
While Beal can certainly let it fly, he may not even be the top deep threat on his own team. Otto Porter Jr. — who entered the league as a woeful 3-point shooter just three years ago — is nearly unrecognizable, as he now leads the entire NBA in 3-point percentage (46.2). The former third-overall pick has been accurate both inside and outside of the arc, as he is also shooting the second-best field goal percentage among guards and wings (53.5).
9)
Down low, Marcin Gortat has shot a ridiculous 82.1 percent from the field over his last five games (32-of-39). The “Polish Hammer” is known for his devastating picks for the likes of Wall and Beal, as Gortat leads the NBA in screen assists (6.9).
10)
For the Lakers to win, they will likely need to surpass the century mark. Washington is 12-1 when holding its opponent to fewer than 100 points this season.
Injury Report
Lakers: Larry Nance Jr. (bone bruise, left knee) and D’Angelo Russell (mild MCL sprain, right knee; strained right calf) are probable. Julius Randle (pneumonia) is questionable.
Wizards: Ian Mahinmi (platelet-rich plasma treatment, both knees) and Danuel House (right wrist fracture) are out.
Tip-Off: 4 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW