In their final game of the season, the Lakers (39-32) take on the Bucks (46-25) on Tuesday as they start a six-game road trip in Milwaukee. The game airs on TNT and Spectrum SportsNet at 4:30 p.m Three things to be aware of before the matchup are listed below.
OUT OF LEBRON
LeBron James was downgraded from doubtful to out early Tuesday owing to the left ankle concerns he has been managing all season. James missed the Lakers’ opening game of the season on March 8th against the Bucks. As a result, he will not play against them at all this regular season.
LeBron is on pace to play the most games of this season with this, his tenth absence. They had gone 5-4 in his past absences.
The Lakers will likely use smaller lineups without LeBron, maybe depending more on Spencer Dinwiddie to create more shots and defend the wings. When LeBron was sidelined earlier this month, Dinwiddie started the game against Milwaukee.
Although he did not play a significant offensive role (five points on just three shot attempts), he did have the game-winning block against Damian Lillard on the game’s last possession.
Moreover, Dinwiddie, starting in place of D’Angelo Russell, is coming off his best performance as a Laker in Sunday’s victory over the Pacers, where he scored 26 points and dished out five assists. Whether starting or substituting, the squad will be hoping he can bring some of that enthusiasm into this match.
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A FINAL ROAD
The Lakers will embark on a lengthy road trip for the last time this regular season, zigzagging across the continent for six games before heading back home. Their ability as a road team will be put to the test during the entire journey as they will have to play two back-to-backs and fit all six games within nine nights due to a strict flight schedule:
26.03. At Milwaukee 27.03.
TENNIS MEETING MILWAUKEE
Although the Lakers defeated the Bucks in a thrilling game that featured the previously mentioned blocked shot by Dinwiddie and a game-winning basket from D’Angelo Russell, who scored 44 points that evening, it’s safe to say that the Milwaukee team of today is very different—and better—than the one that took the court on March 8.
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The return of Khris Middleton, who appears fit and plays excellent basketball next to Dame and Giannis, is by far the largest and most significant adjustment. After that loss to the Lakers, the Bucks have gone 5-2; their defeats have come from a lopsided loss to the Kings and a close loss to the Celtics. They defeated the Suns and 76ers by big digits, and they also thrashed
Against the Bucks’ large front court, the Lakers will need their guards to step up as shot makers once more, but they will also need Anthony Davis and, to a lesser extent, Rui Hachimura to carry a heavy offensive load. AD just finished a fantastic game against the Pacers, scoring 36 points mostly on fast drives to the hoop and a variety of jump shots. Against the Bucks, who have a strong preference for defending the paint and excellent on-ball and weak side shot blocking to clutter the restricted area, his jumper will be especially crucial.
With that, the Lakers will have their chance if AD can make a few jumpers and the team’s guards can follow suit.
