Following one more sweep by the hands of Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers shook issues up but once more through the low season and have as soon as once more been a spotlight of the nationwide NBA narrative. They dismissed head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons on the helm and changed him with infamous NBA podcaster JJ Reddick, with the concept being that Reddick would lastly be the one to unlock the total potential of the Lebron James – Anthony Davis duo that has been collectively for five years at this level. To date the outcomes have been a combined bag: The offense, which was criticized as missing a lot creativeness below Ham, has drawn rave early season opinions, rating sixth in offensive effectivity. James has largely been his standard self, whilst he approaches age 40, however questions concerning the supporting solid proceed to linger, and with the oft-injured Davis coming into the season already nursing a foot damage (plantar fasciitis), how far the Lakers go will as soon as once more relaxation totally on James’ shoulders.
Tonight for the San Antonio Spurs marks the tip of a 5-game home-stand that has been largely profitable, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the unlucky well being state of affairs of head coach Gregg Popovich. Devin Vassell is again and looking out just like the Vassell of previous, whereas Victor Wembanyama has seemingly flipped the swap and is wanting like he’s gotten again to his Olympic type. Because it stands, they’re 3-1, choosing up two wins in opposition to groups in an identical boat as themselves and 1 in opposition to a Sacramento Kings crew that received 46 video games final season. A win in opposition to Lebron and the Lakers would actually put an exclamation level on this home-stand and will set the tone for the remainder of November.
San Antonio Spurs (6-6) vs Los Angeles Lakers (7-4)
November 14th 2024 | 6:30 PM CT
Watch: ESPN | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Tre Jones, ankle (OUT), Jeremy Sochan, thumb (OUT),
Lakers Accidents: Rui Hachimura, ankle (daily), Anthony Davis, plantar fasciitis (possible), Jalen Hood-Schifino, groin (OUT)
What to look at for
Tonight is the primary recreation for each the Spurs and Lakers of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, the NBA’s 2nd in-season event. Group Play consists of 4 whole video games for each crew, with solely 8 groups advancing to the Knockout Spherical.
No matter how one feels about him, there’s no denying that what Lebron James is doing a couple of weeks earlier than his fortieth birthday is something aside from wonderful. 22 years right into a wealthy and storied profession, James is probably not the athletic dynamo he as soon as was, however his efficiency on the courtroom continues to be a key a part of the nationwide dialog across the NBA. He’s coming off a 35 level, 12 rebound, 14 help recreation in a win in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies, his third straight recreation with a triple-double.
Victor Wembanyama has been on an absolute tear these previous few video games, with the 50 level particular that he put up in opposition to the Washington Wizards being the apparent excessive level. Wemby has made his dwelling largely on the perimeter and from past the arc specifically, as he’s made a minimum of six 3s in every of the Spurs’ final three video games. His match-up tonight with Anthony Davis would be the remaining and staunchest check of this home-stand so far as particular person match-ups go.
Los Angeles rookie Dalton Knecht notched a season/career-high 19 factors within the Lakers win in opposition to Memphis on Wednesday, going 5/5 from 3.
Spurs rookie Stephon Fortress has scored in double digits in every of his final 4 video games whereas additionally cracking the 25 minute mark each recreation since he was inserted into the beginning line-up following the damage to Jeremy Sochan. The younger Fortress performs with a tempo, competitiveness, and focus that’s far past his years, and being thrown to the fireplace hasn’t appeared to rattle him one bit.
This season, the Lakers are 6-0 at residence, but simply 1-4 on the street. The Spurs in the meantime are 5-2 at residence.
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