LOS ANGELES — The Lakers had quite a break. They haven’t played since Friday when they ran up the score against the New Orleans Pelicans. So they have had three full days off, which is what we all want in life.
During that little break, the Lakers weren’t exactly sitting on their hands the entire time. They signed free agent Spencer Dinwiddie, who is a Los Angeles native. So this is a homecoming for Dinwiddie. Welcome back!
Coming into their home building? The Detroit Pistons. They are a sorry 8-44 but maybe we should look a little deeper. The Pistons actually won the first two games of their road trip before losing to the Clippers last Saturday. So there’s been some spunk and spark with this Piston team.
Still, the Lakers are definitely more talented than the Pistons up and down. But that’s why they play the games, right? The Lakers have been better about having the energy and, quite frankly, the effort to get out there and play. But it’s not hard to be afraid for these men in the purple and gold unis. They can easily turn into turtles just like that (and not the teenage mutant kinds because we know how active those guys are).
The Lakers dumped on the Pistons last Nov. 29 by 26 points. D’Angelo Russell went off for 35 points. Anthony Davis had 28 points and 16 boards. And LeBron James scored 25. It was a relatively easy night for the Lakers and they’re hoping it’ll be the same for Galentine’s Day.
Meanwhile, the Pistons cleared a nearly empty house before the trade deadline. But it’s definitely gotten the young guys going. Cade Cunningham is trying to get his sea legs back into it but before he went out, he scored 40 or more twice in December. Jaden Ivey has been averaging 26.4 points in his last five games, including a career-best 37 against Sacramento to start this road trip. And Jalen Duren is averaging 19.0 points and 18.3 boards in this trip, including a 27-point, 22-rebound performance against Portland. So the Lakers have to watch for those three guys as they are capable of explosive games like I had just mentioned.
The Lakers should put this away as soon as possible and not let a hungry team like Detroit hang around. And after Tuesday night, the Lakers are going up to Salt Lake City for a game the next night before they get another extended rest with the all-star break coming up. Take care of business and they’ll be in better shape going into this weekend than last season.
