Fresh off a comfortable statement win over the Milwaukee Bucks last Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers look to extend their 8-game road winning streak to 9 games in tonight’s rematch with the Chicago Bulls.
Lakers 9.5 point favorites. LakerTom’s prediction: Lakers 117–96
The key to the game will be the champion Lakers playing up to their level rather than down to their opponent’s level. Hopefully, the Lakers will remember how they almost lost their first game against the Bulls in LA. Chicago not only won the points-in-the-paint battle 62–42 but also beat the Lakers in fast break points 13–7, two areas the Lakers failed to win against the Bucks despite winning the game last Thursday in Milwaukee.
Lakers Record: 12–4 overall, 8–0 on the road, won 6 of last 7 game.
Bulls Record: 7–8 overall, 2–3 at home, won 3 straight games.
Lakers #1 Net Rating, #1 Defensive Rating, #4 Offensive Rating.
Bulls #22 Net Rating, #27 Defensive Rating, #11 Offensive Rating.
Previous Matchups: Lakers beat Bulls 115-113 on Jan 8th in Los Angeles.
Zach LaVine scored 38 points. LeBron James 28 points. No Anthony Davis.
Wendell Carter, Jr. out for Bulls. Jared Dudley out for Lakers. LeBron James listed as questionable.
Best half the Lakers have played defensively all year long.