Lakers vs. Pistons Game Preview: Going back-to-back

The Los Angeles Lakers “return” home to the purple and gold version of STAPLES Center Sunday afternoon with the Detroit Pistons coming to town. The LA Clippers put a hurting on the Lakers, letting DeAndre Jordan run wild in the paint. Enter Andre Drummond, another beast around the rim that can do some serious damage.

Drummond is averaging 13.5 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field, holding down the paint as the biggest brick in Stan Van Gundy’s wall. Tobias Harris leads the team in scoring at 16.5 points per game while shooting a career-high field goal percentage at 48 percent overall. Six Pistons are averaging double-digits in scoring, though Detroit will be missing two of those plays Sunday afternoon.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s rotator cuff strain is expected to sideline him, while Jon Leuer is dealing with a right knee bone bruise. Luol Deng sat out of the Lakers’ game against the Clippers on Saturday for rest, but it’s unclear whether he will be back in action against the Pistons.

Lou Williams moved into the starting lineup with Nick Young sliding up to small forward against the Clippers, but head coach Luke Walton elected to go with Brandon Ingram with the starters in the second half. Ingram’s been impressive to start 2017, leaning on his playmaking and driving ability to create offense for himself and others. Without Deng, it could end up being Ingram with the starting lineup.

Enjoy the game, which hopefully leaves us with some optimism heading into a fresh week.

Time: 6:30 p.m. PT

TV: Spectrum SportsNet