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The Los Angeles Lakers (6-2), will look to get their fifth win in a row and leap-frog over the San Antonio Spurs (5-1)  to take the 2^nd spot among the western conference teams.  This will definitely be an uphill fight for the battered and beaten Los Angeles squad.  The spotlight will be on Luca Doncic, whose aggressive offensive play has been a nightmare for opponents.  Doncic is averaging 41 points and just under 12 rebounds in the four games he’s been available.  He’ll need all the help he can get as early reports suggest that Austin Reaves will be questionable for tonight’s showdown with a nagging groin injury.  Reaves is having an all-star caliber year, contributing 31 points a contest.

Third-year big man Victor Wembanyama will try to get the Spurs back on the winning track after suffering their first loss of the season against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday where the towering center’s nine point effort fell short of normal 27 point output.  Guard Stephon Castle has stepped up in his sophomore year in the league with averages of 20 points on an efficient 55 percent shooting from the field.  While Luka will give this team headaches with his offensive play, the Spurs are no slouch on the defensive end and are one of the leagues top defending teams.  This should be no surprise with Wembanyama’s length protecting the rim with 4 blocks per game. 

For the Lakers to secure a win on their home floor this evening, they will need consistent performances from Rui Hachimura and DeAndre Ayton.  Contributions from guys like Dalton Knecht and Jaxson Hayes will be critical along with Marcus Smart’s disruptive defensive play.  Another 25 point outing by Nick Smith Jr. would certainly help.

Defense will be the Spurs mantra tonight.  They will need Wembanyama to challenge drives to the basket and force the Lakers to be careless with the ball.  If Harrison Barnes can find his rhythm and role players like Carter Bryant and Keldon Johnson step up to fill the void of unavailable players like De’Aaron Fox, it can be a very long and disappointing night for the Laker faithful.

Tip-off is tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Crypto.com Arean is Los Angeles.

Lakers Projected Starting Line-Up:

Luka Doncic (G)

Austin Reaves (G)

Marcus Smart (G/F)

Rui Hachimura (F)

DeAndre Ayton (C)

Spurs Projected Starting Line-Up:

Stephon Castle (G)

Devin Vassell (G)

Julian Champagnie (F)

Harrison Barnes (F)

Victor Wembanyama (C)

Lakers Projected Injury List:

Jaxson Hayes (Probable – right ankle sprain)

Austin Reaves (Questionable – right groin soreness)

LeBron James (Out – sciatica)

Maxi Kleber (Out – abdominal strain)

Adou Thiero (Out – knee surgery recovery)

Gabe Vincent (Out – left ankle sprain)

Spurs Projected Injury List:

Kelly Olynyk (Questionable – heel)

Jeremy Sochan (Questionable – wrist)

Lindy Waters III (Questionable – eye)

Harrison Ingram (Questionable – G League 2-way)

Riley Minix (Questionable – G League 2-way)

De’Aaron Fox (Out – right hamstring strain)

Dylan Harper (Out – left calf strain)

Luke Kornet (Out – left ankle sprain)