Lakers vs. Mavericks Game Preview: The pain train is here

The Los Angeles Lakers may have snapped their losing streak in a win over the Indiana Pacers, but things are looking murky once again as they tip-off a three-game road trip in Dallas against the Mavericks. D’Angelo Russell is expected to miss one-to-two weeks with various right leg injuries (calf strain, MCL sprain, bone bruise), once again stripping the Lakers of their starting point guard for a stretch.

With Larry Nance, Jr. preparing to make his return it’s a brutal turn for the Lakers, and while Russell hadn’t been playing well individually, there’s nothing good about not having the No. 2 pick on the floor. Just as things were starting to look like they were getting back to normal, they go back to the “normal” of the last three seasons. You know, injury after injury after injury derailing any normalization of the season.

The last time these teams met the Lakers hit one of their lowest points of the season, getting beat in their own building to a Mavericks team sans J.J. Barea and Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk is back in the Mavericks’ lineup, while Barea and Andrew Bogut are expected to miss this Sunday matinee game.

Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson are the two Lakers who will have to pick up the slack in the backcourt, though that’s been Lou’s forte all year. Brandon Ingram’s playmaking out of the pick-and-roll will also have to be something the Lakers lean on to create scoring opportunities.

The good news is the Lakers get two off days after this one before their next outing. The bad news is their next two road games are in Portland and Utah. Enjoy the game, which looks like their most winnable of the upcoming trio of roadies.

Time: 12:30 p.m. PT

TV: Spectrum SportsNet