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The Los Angeles Lakers are nine games deep into their losing streak, took an extra loss off the court after LaVar Ball threw Luke Walton under the Buss (ay), and now face the only team in the NBA with a worse record in the Atlanta Hawks.
Lonzo Ball’s triumphant return lasted for approximately one quarter against the Charlotte Hornets, things quickly falling apart for the Lakers as they have been lately.
The good news for the Lakers is their team is getting back to its old routine, with everyone healthy and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finishing his 25-day sentence come Monday morning. Things getting back to the norm could help wash away the mud this team seems to be stuck in.
The Hawks are coming off a 21-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, have one of the worst defenses in the NBA, and are just one loss behind the Lakers in the standings. Atlanta is in the midst of a four-game road trip, the final two games a back-to-back against the Lakers and Clippers. These two win-starved teams will battle for the right to claim a rare victory.
The Lakers need a win, just to catch a breath after what’s been a suffocating month of basketball. They have no greater opportunity than to beat the only team in the league with a worse record, though the Lakers are the squad on the defensive with their extensive losing streak.
Hopefully we can enjoy the game tonight. That’d be nice for a change of pace.
Time: 6:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet