First of two direct away games against division rivals

The last time the Los Angeles Lakers took the court, they had an excellent defensive performance against the Memphis Grizzlies. Now they’re looking to compete against another dynamic point guard in De’Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings.

JJ Redick brought Max Christie into the starting lineup against Memphis and was instrumental in limiting Ja Morant. The task doesn’t get any easier against Fox, who the Lakers have had difficulty keeping under control for a long time. It will take a whole team effort to keep Fox under control, but that’s why Christie is starting and his main job will be to make life difficult for the point guard. If he can do that, everything else he gives the Lakers is a bonus.

Of course, all eyes will be on the big duel between Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis. Davis quieted many doubters with a dominant performance in the teams’ first meeting with 31 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks, but Sabonis also posted a triple-double with 29 points. Davis has returned to his early season form of late and a meeting with Sabonis will certainly motivate him to maintain that level of play.

With LeBron James and Austin Reaves both back and healthy, the Lakers have their two best playmakers on the court, making life easier for the rest of the team. It should also be important to get something from their bank. Whether it’s D’Angelo Russell, Dalton Knecht or Cam Reddish, the Lakers can’t use their reserves against this offensive powerhouse, the Kings.

Sacramento has one of the best offenses in the league, ranking sixth in offensive efficiency and fifth in turnover percentage. Therefore, the Lakers will need to work hard on their defense if they plan on getting some easy possessions during Kings turnovers.

With Fox, Sabonis, Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan, the Kings have a number of players who can have great nights. But on the other hand, the Kings are just an average defensive team and the Lakers should have their chances at balls as long as they hold on and execute the game plan that Redick gives them.

The Lakers have always emphasized that defense is vital to them moving forward, and this Kings team represents a big test to see if they can live up to that goal and pull off a second straight impressive win.

This is the first of two straight games between the division rivals as they will face off again in the same building on Saturday afternoon. It will be interesting to see how both teams prepare for this clash depending on what happens in the first game.

Los Angeles Lakers (14-12) vs. Sacramento Kings (13-14)

7:00 p.m. PT, Thursday, December 19, 2024
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA

Expected Lakers starting lineup:

PG: Austin Reaves
SG: Max Christie
SF: LeBron James
PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Anthony Davis

Key reserves: D’Angelo Russell, Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Christian Koloko

Predicted Kings starting lineup:

PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Malik Monk
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Keegan Murray
C: Domantas Sabonis

Key Reserves: Keon Ellis, Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles

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