Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting the Outcome for Every Game in January

The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a rough start in 2012, losing their first game of the new year to the Denver Nuggets on New Year's Day.

The team has 16 more games scheduled in the month of January, including showdowns against LeBron James and the Miami Heat and the defending champion Dallas Mavericks.

How will the team fare in the month of January? Let’s take a game-by-game look.

January 3rd, Houston Rockets

In their first home game of 2012, the Los Angeles Lakers take on Kevin McHale and the Houston Rockets.

Given the Rockets’ skimpiness in the frontcourt, there is no reason Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum shouldn’t be able to flex their muscles down low.

Also, had the Chris Paul trade actually happened at the beginning of December, Gasol would have been sent to the Rockets.

Maybe in some way Gasol will be extra motivated for this game, knowing he was so close to playing for Houston.

I see the Lakers winning this one rather easily.

January 5th, Portland Trail Blazers

Thus far, the Portland Trail Blazers are one of the surprise teams of the early season, having won three of their first four games.

Conversely, the Lakers have notoriously struggled playing in Portland in recent seasons.

I think the Blazers’ early season success continues, and the Lakers will struggle once again in the Rose Garden.

Blazers win.

January 6th, Golden State Warriors

Coming off their game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers head home to take on the Golden State Warriors in the second game of a back-to-back.

This game will be one of the best of the early season, with the Warriors pulling out the victory in overtime.

January 8th, Memphis Grizzlies

Despite being one of the younger teams in the league, which seems to be the key to early-season success during this truncated season, the Grizzlies have stumbled out of the gate, losing three of their first four.

The Grizzles game against the Lakers is their third road game in five days. The Lakers will take advantage of this and beat the Grizz at Staples Center.

January 10th, Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns will likely end up in the lottery rather than the postseason. There’s no reason Kobe Bryant and the Lakers can’t handle an aging Steve Nash and the Suns.

Lakers win big.

January 11th, Utah Jazz

This is one of the weaker Utah Jazz teams in many years. But despite not being as good as the Karl Malone and John Stockton teams, or the Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams teams for that matter, they are still going to be a tough out on their home floor.

The Jazz avenge their blowout loss to the Lakers earlier in the season and win a close one in Utah.

January 13th, Cleveland Cavaliers

Shortened season or no shortened season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the worst, if not the worst, team in the league.

Lakers fans will get an up-close look at No. 1 overall draft pick Kyrie Irving.

But unless he transforms into Bob Cousy, the Lakers will win this one going away.

January 14th, Los Angeles Clippers

Handing the Los Angeles Clippers the Larry O’Brien trophy has been put on hold, seeing as the team has lost two of their first four games, including double-digit losses to the Sab Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.

The Lakers will draw first blood in two teams’ first regular season game, winning a defensive-minded, low-scoring affair.

January 16th, Dallas Mavericks

Hopefully the Los Angeles Lakers have this game circled on their calendar. It will be their first crack at the Dallas Mavericks since Dirk Nowitzki and Co. swept the Lakers, en route to capturing the franchise’s first championship.

This is one of those games in which Kobe is more motivated than usual, which is saying a lot. Expect the rest of the team to follow suit. The Lakers will trail most of the game before going on a tear in the fourth quarter and pulling away from the defending champs.

January 19th, Miami Heat

If the early season is any indication, the Miami Heat could very well be having a championship parade in South Beach this June. LeBron and Co. are off to 5-0 start, including impressive wins against the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.

The Lakers will keep the game close, but they will ultimately lose to the Heat, giving Kobe a 0-3 record against the Heat since LeBron James joined the team prior to the 2010-11 season.

January 20th, Orlando Magic

After facing the Miami Heat the night before, the Lakers travel to North Florida to take on Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.

The Lakers will win the game, but there will be so much talk about Dwight Howard eventually joining the Lakers that the game will likely play “second fiddle” to the endless speculation.

January 22nd, Indiana Pacers

The Los Angeles Lakers return home from their Florida road trip to take on the Indiana Pacers.

I expect a very close game throughout. But the Lakers will pull through on their home floor.

January 25th, Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers will steal the second game of the season series between the two Los Angeles franchises, behind a triple-double from Chris Paul. This will setup a “tie breaker” game between the Lakers and Clippers on April 4th, with LA bragging rights on the line.

January 28th, Milwaukee Bucks

I will be anxious to watch the matchup between the two Andrews, Bogut and Bynum, at the center position in this game.

Bogut, who first appeared to be a bust as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, has transformed himself into a formidable big man, making the All-NBA Third Team last season, in addition to leading the league in blocked shots.

On the other hand, Bynum has still yet to make the big step like the one Bogut made recently. If Bynum is serious about becoming an All-Star, he must rise to the occasion and outplay other quality big men like Bogut.

Expect Bynum to have a monster game, leading the team to victory.

January 29th, Minnesota Timberwolves

Everything will bounce in the favor of the Minnesota Timberwolves in this late January game, leading to an upset of the Los Angeles Lakers.

It will also be the first time the purple and gold get a first-hand look at Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams.

January 31st, Charlotte Bobcats

There have been few teams throughout the years who have given the Los Angeles Lakers as much trouble as the Charlotte Bobcats. Since their inception in 2004-05, the Bobcats have an 8-6 record against the mighty Lakers.

But the Lakers will end the first month of the new year on a high note, beating the pesky Bobcats in the teams’ only meeting of the season.