Here is what you need to know before the Lakers go head-to-head with the Milwaukee Bucks.
1)
Julius Randle is looking to build off his most impressive offensive performance yet, having dropped a career-high 32 points in Wednesday’s loss to Houston. Randle — who was the first Lakers forward with a 30-point game in five years — consistently burned and bullied the Rockets’ bigs. He shot 13-of- 17, though Houston nonetheless sped off to a 139-100 win.
2)
It’s been a much-improved March for rookie Brandon Ingram, who is averaging 12.4 points on 52.9 percent shooting from the field. In particular, the 19-year-old has been aggressive attacking the rim, as he has shot 19-of-25 around the basket this month.
3)
The Lakers’ last game against Milwaukee was a tale of two halves, as they soared out to a 76-55 halftime lead before having to hang on for an eight-point victory. Nick Young was crucial in that win, scoring 26 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while helping stave off a herculean effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who posted a career-high 41 points, including 18 off free throws.
4)
The Bucks were slumping when they last played L.A., but now they are one of the NBA’s hottest teams. After winning seven of its last eight games, Milwaukee is currently in line for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Defense has been the driving force behind this stretch, in which the Bucks are allowing the league’s second-fewest points (96.9) while scoring the most off turnovers (20.6).
5)
The Bucks are playing their second straight game at Staples Center, as Wednesday saw them defeat the LA Clippers in the final seconds, sweeping the season series between the two for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. The Clippers had a chance to win at the buzzer, but Blake Griffin was unable to score on a short jumper while sandwiched between two Milwaukee defenders.
6)
The story of the Bucks’ season has, fittingly, revolved around Antetokounmpo, who became Milwaukee’s first All-Star Game starter in 31 years. “The Greek Freak” is also on pace to become the fifth player in league history to lead his team in points (23.0), rebounds (8.5), assists (5.5), steals (1.7) and blocks (1.9). Even more impressively, he has done so without absorbing the bulk of his team’s possessions, as he ranks just 21st in usage rate.
7)
Lakers coach Luke Walton has expressed his admiration for Antetokounmpo’s game before, particularly how he uses his bounding strides to get to the hoop with ease. Defenses still haven’t figured out how to contain his length, as he leads the NBA in points off turnovers (4.9), while ranking third in paint scoring (13.0) and fourth in dunks (162).
8)
With Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid shut down for the season, Malcolm Brogdon might just have an outside shot at winning Rookie of the Year. The former All-American leads his draft class in both assists (4.1) and steals (1.1), while hitting the 11th-best 3-point percentage in the entire NBA (42.1).
9)
Along with Brogdon, the Bucks have another rookie in their starting lineup. Tenth-overall draft pick Thon Maker hasn’t enjoyed the kind of success that Brogdon has, as he has shot just 29.8 percent as a starter. However, the 7-foot-1 center has shown considerable range, hitting 41.8 percent of his triples.
10)
With Antetokounmpo leading the way, the Bucks have been one of the NBA’s best at scoring inside. They rank second in both points in the paint (49.3) and scoring on cuts to the hoop (14.1), which has led to the league’s second-best field goal percentage (47.7).
Injury Report
Lakers: Larry Nance Jr. (right wrist sprain) and Nick Young (left ring finger sprain) are probable.
Bucks: Jabari Parker (left ACL tear) and Michael Beasley (hyperextended left knee) are out.
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW