L.A. Lakers Forecast: Next 15 Games until Showdown Vs. San Antonio Spurs
The L.A. Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are busy rolling over the NBA, but just who will remain brilliant and resilient? The Spurs are sitting pretty at No. 1 in the NBA Power Rankings followed by their nemesis, the Lakers, at No. 2.
The next 15 games, which will end with a showdown between these two accomplished teams, will answer that question, and one thing is for sure—there is no certain winner between these two Goliaths.
The Lakers have just been handed their third loss of the season, while the Spurs continue to roll.
The winner of this matchup on Dec. 28th will be determined by the team that uses its pre-showdown games as a valuable tune-up in establishing its NBA Power Ranking supremacy.
Nov. 28 @ Indianna Pacers: Projected WIN Brings Record To 14-3
1 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 14
Winning/Losing Streak: One-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: Fourteenth in the NBA
Last Meeting with Enemy: none
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: 7'2" Center Roy Hibbert
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 9
Analysis: The Pacers are a young and talented team that has moved up five places in the Power Rankings this week to fourteenth place.
Roy Hibbert and Danny Granger are playing very well and the Pacers defense has improved considerably.
A good game by the Pacers at home might be enough to hand the Lakers their fourth loss.
But still, L.A. has too many weapons—the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Nov. 30 @ Memphis Grizzlies: Projected WIN Brings Record To 15-3
2 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 15
Winning/Losing Streak: two-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: Fifteenth in the NBA
Last Meeting with Enemy: none
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Marc Gasol
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 7
Analysis: The Grizzlies are another young and talented team that are in 15th place in this week's Power Rankings. 7'1" Marc Gasol has the wherewithal to render his more talented sibling (Pau) ineffective from a happy pregame meal.
Not much of a threat here for the Lakers who face their second team that is not ranked in the Top 10.
L.A. has too many weapons—the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 1 @ Houston Rockets: Projected WIN Brings Record To 16-3
3 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 16
Winning/Losing Streak: three-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 25
Last Meeting with Enemy: W 112-110
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Luis Scola
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 7
Analysis: Luis Scola is having a breakout season. Last Wednesday he scored 24 points to go with 12 rebounds (his fourth double-double this season). He is also averaging a career high of 22.2 points per game.
Shane Battier remains a defensive workhorse whose stats simply do not show this journeyman's grit, and center Kevin Martin is averaging 23 PPG over 14 games, but his 3.1 rebound contribution is not exactly awe- inspiring. .
L.A. has too many weapons—the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 3 @ Sacramento Kings: Projected WIN Brings Record To 17-3
4 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 17
Winning/Losing Streak: four-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 21
Last Meeting with Enemy: W 112-100
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: none
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 5
Analysis: The Kings are a very young and talented team with tremendous potential that will only be realized as they get older.
For now, the Kings will serve as just another casualty in the path of the purple and gold steamrolling machine.
L.A. has too many weapons—the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 7 @ Washington Wizards: Projected WIN Brings Record To 18-3
5 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 18
Winning/Losing Streak: five-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 27
Last Meeting with Enemy: none
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: JaVale McGee
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 9
Analysis: The Wizards are not the best team in the NBA, and on paper the Lakers are certainly much better—but the Wizards have the size to challenge L.A. They also have a superior point guard in John Wall, not to mention the much-improved play of Gilbert Arenas who is re-establishing himself as a superstar. McGee has shown the ability to average rebounds in double digits and could be the game's deciding factor should the Wizards win. He dropped 31 in a loss against the Orlando Magic on Saturday night in the absence of John Wall (bruised knee).
The safe bet would be on the Lakers, especially since they are playing at home, but it should be a close game if Wall is in the lineup.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 8 @ L.A. Clippers: Projected WIN Brings Record To 19-3
6 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win no. 19
Winning/Losing Streak: six-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 29
Last Meeting with Enemy: none
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Blake Griffin
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 8
Analysis: Blake Griffin is proving to be a monster and a sure bet future perennial All-star and superstar. He is averaging 11.4 boards and 19.3 points per game and has had several double-doubles already this season.
Guard Eric Gordon leads the team with 24.5 PPG, but the Clippers are averaging a whopping 16.6 turnovers per game.
The Clippers are a very young team that threaten to change the landscape of the NBA in the near future, but as for now they are very inconsistent.
L.A. has too many weapons, and the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 10 @ Chicago Bulls: Projected LOSS Brings Record To 19-4
7 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Loss No. 4
Winning/Losing Streak: one-game losing streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 10
Last Meeting with Enemy: W 98-91
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Joakim Noah
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 10
Analysis: The Chicago Bulls are a very young and talented team with energy to boot.
Derrick Rose is an elite point guard who will give Derek Fisher fits. He leads the Bulls in both PPG and APG while running an efficient offense.
Joakim Noah is the second best rebounder in the league and a double-double machine (points and rebounds) who can also help with blocks, assists and steals.
Luol Deng is having a breakout year, contributing 19.1 PPG to go with several double-doubles.
Carlos Boozer is the missing piece that will make this very good team into a great team and give the Lakers a run for their money.
L.A. has a lot of weapons, but the Bulls can answer every single one of them and then some.
Lakers LOSE.
Dec. 12 @ New Jersey Nets: Projected WIN Brings Record To 20-4
8 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 20
Winning/Losing Streak: one-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 22
Last Meeting with Enemy: none
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Brook Lopez
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 5
Analysis: The Nets are a very young and talented team with tremendous potential that will only be realized as they get older.
The 22-year-old Lopez is averaging 18.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and Devin Harris is proving to be a good point guard.
For now, the Nets will serve as just another casualty in the path of the purple and gold steamrolling machine.
L.A. has too many weapons, and the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 14 @ Washington Wizards: Projected LOSS Brings Record To 20-5
9 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Loss No. 5
Winning/Losing Streak: one-game losing streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: 12th in NBA (projected)
Last Meeting with Enemy: Projected Win
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: JaVale McGee
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 9
Analysis: Not only do the Wizards have the size to challenge L.A., but with the help of both a rising Gilbert Arenas and John Wall, they will have moved up the Power Rankings by 10-15 places by this meeting with the Lakers.
McGee has shown the ability to average rebounds in double digits and could be the game's deciding factor should the Wizards win.
The combination of both the Wizard's dramatic improvement with the Lakers 'fourth straight road game should be enough to hand the Lakers their fifth loss of the season.
Lakers Lose.
Dec. 15 @ Indiana Pacers: Projected WIN Brings Record To 21-5
10 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 21
Winning/Losing Streak: One-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: 11th in NBA (projected)
Last Meeting with Enemy: Projected win
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: 7'2" Center Roy Hibbert
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 9
Analysis: The Pacers are a young and talented team that have moved up five places in the Power Rankings this week to No. 14, and I expect them to keep climbing.
7'2" Roy Hibbert and Danny Granger are playing very well, and the Pacers defense has improved considerably.
A good game by the Pacers at home might be enough to hand the Lakers their next loss.
But still, L.A. has too many weapons, and the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 17 @ Philadelphia 76ers: Projected WIN Brings Record To 22-5
11 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win No. 22
Winning/Losing Streak: two-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 28
Last Meeting with Enemy: none
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Elton Brand
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 5
Analysis: The 76ers are a talented team that is in disarray nonetheless.
Andre Iguodala is back in the 76ers lineup, returning from an Achilles tendon injury. Elton Brand is not the dominant force he used to be on offense or defense, though Thaddeus Young’s play has been good enough to raise some eyebrows.
Rebounding is a major problem for the 76ers, and as such they should not pose much of a threat to the Lakers.
Lakers WIN
Dec. 18 @ Toronto Raptors: Projected WIN Brings Record To 23-5
12 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win no. 23
Winning/Losing Streak: Three-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 29
Last Meeting with Enemy: W 108-103
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Andrea Bargnani
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 8
Analysis: Bargnani is averaging 21 points and only five rebounds per game. No one else on this young Raptors squad is averaging more than 15 PPG.
DeMar DeRozan has shown glimpses of superstar calibre performances but is not averaging enough minutes.
The Raptors are a very young team that remain extremely inconsistent.
L.A. has too many weapons, and the smart bet would be on the Lakers.
Lakers Win.
Dec. 21 @ Milwaukee Bucks: Projected WIN Brings Record To 24-5
13 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win no. 24
Winning/Losing Streak: Four-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 17
Last Meeting with Enemy: W 118-107
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Andrew Bogut
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 8
Analysis: The Bucks are a very talented team full of underachievers who never seem to rise to the occasion. Even after challenging the Lakers for three quarters in their past meeting, they were content to call it a day once the fourth quarter started.
If the Bucks actually show up for all four quarters, they will challenge the Lakers—but that is just a dream for Milwaukee fans.
Lakers Win.
Dec. 25 Vs. Miami Heat: Projected WIN Brings Record To 25-5
14 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Win no. 25
Winning/Losing Streak: Five-game winning streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: Fourth in NBA (projected)
Last Meeting with Enemy: none
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: LeBron James
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 10
Analysis: The Miami Heat have had the most controversial start in NBA history. At first the marketing focused on talk of "Heat or Three-peat," but that talk seems to have died down given Miami's dreadfully unexpected play in a still young season through its first 15 games.
One thing that cannot be denied is that the Heat have a very talented cast in LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and they will improve dramatically between now and their showdown with the Lakers on Dec. 25th.
Will the Heat challenge the L.A. Lakers on Christmas day, or will the San Antonio Spurs (next page) pose more of a challenge?
It will be close, but Lakers will win.
Lakers Win.
Dec. 28 @ San Antonio Spurs: Projected LOSS Brings Record To 25-6
15 of 15
Projected Win/Loss: Loss No. 7
Winning/Losing Streak: one-game losing streak
Power Ranking the Enemy: No. 1
The Pau Gasol Neutralizer: Tim Duncan
Difficulty Factor (out of 10): 10
Analysis: The San Antonio Spurs are ranked No. 1 in the NBA and are showing that they might just have one more title for their trophy case before legends Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are broken up one way or another.
Ginobili is averaging 21.5 points per game while shooting 47 percent and also contributing with assists and rebounds over 44 MPG.
Tony Parker is averaging 18 points per game while shooting 52 percent combined with seven assists, and Tim Duncan is averaging close to a double-double while shooting 48 percent.
L.A. has a lot of weapons including Andrew Bynum who will probably be in the lineup by then, but the Spurs sharpshooters will challenge the visiting Lakers to safeguard their No. 1 ranking.
Lakers LOSE.
