Originally published by LakersNation.com
After a brutal 2-10 start that had the Los Angeles Lakers at the very bottom of the NBA standings, things have somewhat stabilized. The Lakers have won nine of their last 14 games to climb to within two games of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, giving fans something to pull for each night.
Much of that success is due to Anthony Davis suddenly morphing back into the MVP-caliber talent many thought he was destined for after winning a title in his first year with the Lakers. So despite the team being far from championship favorites, there are still several impactful games to play this season.
Here’s a pick of the five most exciting matchups for Lakers fans to look out for.
Philadelphia 76ers, January 15, 2023
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the season with genuine championship aspirations but have been slowed by injuries thus far this season. However, injuries didn’t slow them in a 133-122 overtime win against Los Angeles on December 9th.
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, and Tobias Harris are all game-changers when they get going. Anthony Davis will have his work cut out with Embiid in the paint. The Lakers will likely enter this game as a home underdog, but they have the potential to pull off an upset in this re-match.
Milwaukee Bucks, February 9, 2023
Milwaukee is over a year removed from their championship win, but that doesn’t mean they lack talent.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is arguably the best player in the league, making his matchup with LeBron James very interesting. Khris Middleton will be a fun matchup to watch on the wings for the Lakers to match, and Jrue Holiday taking on Westbrook will be a joyful point guard battle.
This game looks like it will have the feeling of a heated playoff contest.
Brooklyn Nets, January 30, 2023
Who knows what might be going on with the Nets by the time 2023 comes around, but one thing is for certain, this is going to be heavily entertaining.
The matchup between LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook taking on Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons is going to be an interesting fight, and it could also have playoff implications for both teams as they struggle to get higher up in the seeding.
Phoenix Suns, March 23, 2023
The Lakers and Suns are familiar foes this season.
The two sides met in a pre-season friendly in Las Vegas’s T-Mobile arena, but just like playing free casino games pales in comparison to a live experience in one of Vegas’s many casinos, so the friendly failed to get fans excited ahead of the NBA season. The two games so far have been full of end-to-end action, particularly in the November clash in Arizona, where the Suns won 115-105.
March, though, will see the Lakers take hosting duties, which conjures up a series of questions: will the Suns still be top of the Western Conference at that point? Can the Lakers combat the depth Phoenix has? Can Anthony Davis continue his red-hot form this season?
It’ll be all to play for when the two sides meet at Crypto.com Arena.
Chicago Bulls, March 26, 2023
The Chicago Bulls will be traveling to face the Lakers in Crypto.com Arena shortly before the playoffs kick-off.
Chicago isn’t very consistent, but when they’re healthy and playing with energy, they are very entertaining to watch. The leadership of DeMar DeRozan, the defense of both Lonzo and Alex Caruso, and the inside presence of Nikola Vucevic is a top starting five. The downside though is that no one knows when Lonzo Ball will be back after the Bulls recently admitted he wasn’t making great progress with his knee injury.
The Bulls, at full strength, will give the Lakers a tough test, being an energetic team that never slows down on the defensive end. But Lakers fans will be hoping their team has what it takes.
After a brutal 2-10 start that had the Los Angeles Lakers at the very bottom of the NBA standings, things have somewhat stabilized. The Lakers have won nine of their last 14 games to climb to within two games of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, giving fans something to pull for each night.
Much of that success is due to Anthony Davis suddenly morphing back into the MVP-caliber talent many thought he was destined for after winning a title in his first year with the Lakers. So despite the team being far from championship favorites, there are still several impactful games to play this season.
Here’s a pick of the five most exciting matchups for Lakers fans to look out for.
Philadelphia 76ers, January 15, 2023
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the season with genuine championship aspirations but have been slowed by injuries thus far this season. However, injuries didn’t slow them in a 133-122 overtime win against Los Angeles on December 9th.
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, and Tobias Harris are all game-changers when they get going. Anthony Davis will have his work cut out with Embiid in the paint. The Lakers will likely enter this game as a home underdog, but they have the potential to pull off an upset in this re-match.
Milwaukee Bucks, February 9, 2023
Milwaukee is over a year removed from their championship win, but that doesn’t mean they lack talent.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is arguably the best player in the league, making his matchup with LeBron James very interesting. Khris Middleton will be a fun matchup to watch on the wings for the Lakers to match, and Jrue Holiday taking on Westbrook will be a joyful point guard battle.
This game looks like it will have the feeling of a heated playoff contest.
Brooklyn Nets, January 30, 2023
Who knows what might be going on with the Nets by the time 2023 comes around, but one thing is for certain, this is going to be heavily entertaining.
The matchup between LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook taking on Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons is going to be an interesting fight, and it could also have playoff implications for both teams as they struggle to get higher up in the seeding.
Phoenix Suns, March 23, 2023
The Lakers and Suns are familiar foes this season.
The two sides met in a pre-season friendly in Las Vegas’s T-Mobile arena, but just like playing free casino games pales in comparison to a live experience in one of Vegas’s many casinos, so the friendly failed to get fans excited ahead of the NBA season. The two games so far have been full of end-to-end action, particularly in the November clash in Arizona, where the Suns won 115-105.
March, though, will see the Lakers take hosting duties, which conjures up a series of questions: will the Suns still be top of the Western Conference at that point? Can the Lakers combat the depth Phoenix has? Can Anthony Davis continue his red-hot form this season?
It’ll be all to play for when the two sides meet at Crypto.com Arena.
Chicago Bulls, March 26, 2023
The Chicago Bulls will be traveling to face the Lakers in Crypto.com Arena shortly before the playoffs kick-off.
Chicago isn’t very consistent, but when they’re healthy and playing with energy, they are very entertaining to watch. The leadership of DeMar DeRozan, the defense of both Lonzo and Alex Caruso, and the inside presence of Nikola Vucevic is a top starting five. The downside though is that no one knows when Lonzo Ball will be back after the Bulls recently admitted he wasn’t making great progress with his knee injury.
The Bulls, at full strength, will give the Lakers a tough test, being an energetic team that never slows down on the defensive end. But Lakers fans will be hoping their team has what it takes.
