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(UPDATED: 10/13, 1:20 p.m. PT): Brandon Bass was previously listed as out for this game, but he'll reportedly give it a go.
After routing Israel's Maccabi Haifa on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers will look to beat their first NBA team in the preseason Tuesday night when they'll take on the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
It's safe to say that the Lakers are coming off their best performance in the preseason. It's hard to gauge just how great of a performance it was -- let's face it, it was Maccabi Haifa -- but there were some very encouraging signs from that game nonetheless. D'Angelo Russell was questionable to play due to his glute injury, but came off the bench and thrived. He had 11 assists in just 18 minutes, including some of his usual jaw-dropping dimes. He didn't seem to be hindered at all by his injury. Julius Randle had 14 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes, while Kobe scored 21 points on just 10 shots. Something else that I think got overlooked is that Anthony Brown started and played well, despite a rather empty box score. His performance drew praise from Byron Scott, as Scott compared him to Bruce Bowen.
It also earned Brown another start. He'll be in the starting five against the Kings alongside Kobe Bryant, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Roy Hibbert. Hibbert had to leave practice early on Monday due to a right knee soreness, but is listed as probable. D'Angelo Russell, on the other hand, will come off the bench for the second straight game, while Marcelo Huertas and Brandon Bass are listed as out. Bass did return to practice on Monday, however, and appears to be nearing a return.
Another interesting element about this game is that Byron Scott mentioned that the Lakers could be making some roster cuts after it. So this may be the final chance for guys like Jonathan Holmes, Michael Frazier II, and perhaps Jabari Brown to make a run for a roster spot. If that is the case, expect those on the bubble to get some extra playing time so the team can make their final evaluations before deciding who to cut.
All in all, it should be another fun opportunity to watch the Lakers' young talent shine, while at the same time, seeing some of the roster spot battles play out. Hopefully they can pick up their first preseason win against an NBA team in the process.
Time: 7:00 p.m. PT
Station: TWCSN