Los Angeles Lakers' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for February
January was not kind to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The team lost franchise cornerstone Kobe Bryant for the rest of the season and endured a nine-game losing streak en route to a 3-12 overall mark.
They did close the month on a positive note, taking down the Chicago Bulls in two overtimes, giving the national TV audience a reason to tune in to a Lakers contest.
February's slate is decidedly easier, but after starting the month with an ugly loss to the woeful New York Knicks, it appears the team is more likely to keep sinking than bubble back up to the surface.
It's a short month, with February's natural brevity combining with the All-Star hiatus to leave just seven games on the schedule for the rest of the month.
Let's break down the key matchups and predict L.A.'s wins and losses for the remainder of February.
February 8-February 15
1 of 4
The Lakers get things started with a Sunday matinee on national TV against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 8.
These two sides met in a memorable clash last month that saw Cleveland halt a six-game losing streak and claw back to .500 for the season. They have yet to lose since.
It's been the complete opposite story for the Lakers, who have just one win since that meeting. They did almost take out the Cavs that night—and who knows how long their downward spiral would have continued had that happened—but things are far different on both sides.
For L.A., they are without Kobe Bryant this time around. Bryant dished out a career-high 17 assists—more than Cleveland's entire roster put together—against the Cavs, but he missed a crucial free throw in the final minute that would have made it a one-possession game.
In Cleveland's case, they are flying high, winners of 12 straight and counting. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are co-existing, their new pieces have rounded out the roster well and head coach David Blatt's job seems secure going forward.
With the circumstances of these two teams as they presently stand, this game figures to be one-sided. But anytime you get to watch LeBron James and Co. in full flight, it's worth tuning in.
The Lakers end their road trip in Cleveland and return home to face the Denver Nuggets on February 10. The two teams have split their two meetings this season, with the road team prevailing each time. Expect that trend to continue.
A tough back-to-back caps the first half of the campaign for L.A., as they travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on February 11, their last contest before the All-Star break.
The Blazers downed the Lakers twice last month. Injuries have slowed Portland lately, but Robin Lopez is back in the lineup and LaMarcus Aldridge continues to produce through the pain. It should be a comfortable win for Portland in their own building.
Weekly Record Prediction: 0-3
February 16-February 22
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It's just a two-game week after the extended break and the Lakers welcome a pair of Eastern Conference foes to Staples Center.
The more notable matchup comes on February 22 against the hated Boston Celtics.
This old rivalry doesn't hold as much interest around the country these days, but these two proud franchises are still eager to beat one another.
Boston routed L.A. in early December in a game that the Lakers came out flat to start. That loss sparked Byron Scott to adjust the starting lineup, replacing Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer with Ronnie Price and Ed Davis.
The Celtics won't have Rajon Rondo this time around, making this meeting completely devoid of any star power.
The edge still goes to the visitors, but L.A. can definitely come away with a win here.
Los Angeles' other game for the week comes at home against the Brooklyn Nets.
These two sides have yet to square off this season, but this meeting means much more to a Brooklyn squad fighting for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Deron Williams is back from injury and Brook Lopez has come around lately. The Nets are favored in this one.
Weekly Record Prediction: 1-1
Februrary 23-28
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In the final week of February, L.A.'s most noteworthy title is a home date with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Lakers just faced Milwaukee earlier in the week and came away with a tough overtime loss. They'll want to even things up on their own turf, but the Bucks have proven themselves to be a steady squad fully deserving of their current standing.
Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis feasted on a slightly underperforming Bucks front line, and each will try to repeat his performance—28 points for Boozer, 20 rebounds for Davis—this time around.
The Bucks will look to keep carving up L.A.'s shoddy defense after posting 50/42/91 shooting splits as a team in the last matchup. Four players went for 20 or more in that one, led by rising star Giannis Antetokounmpo's 25.
A trip to Utah to play the Jazz rounds out the month.
The Jazz have been frisky over the past couple of months, going a respectable 11-13 after a horrendous 6-19 start. They're tough at home, where they just knocked off the Golden State Warriors in an impressive display.
Gordon Hayward was terrific in Utah's win over the Lakers. He finished with 31 points and seven assists during the lone meeting between the two clubs.
Utah's talent level is significantly higher than what L.A. is rolling out on a nightly basis now. The Jazz will be favored at home in this one.
Weekly Record Prediction: 0-2
February Wrap-Up
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February's schedule isn't as tough as January's, but this team isn't as tough to beat as January's incarnation either.
It's now in L.A.'s best interest to lose as many games as possible, and this schedule should allow the Lakers to do that even if they put forth maximum effort.
They can still conjure up an impressive performance like they did in their double-overtime stunner over the Chicago Bulls at the end of January, but the ceiling of this squad is pretty low.
Expect the losses to continue to pile up as the Lakers steam toward a top-five selection in the upcoming draft.
Final-Record Prediction for Remainder of February: 1-6
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