Lakers vs. Nets Preview and Game Thread: Time to build another winning streak

The Lakers have the chance to work on what they’ve struggled with as they look for a second-straight win on Friday against the Nets.

After finally putting an end to their losing streak on Wednesday against the Miami Heat, the Lakers look to carry the momentum over on Friday versus the Brooklyn Nets. This is the first time these two will see each other this season and the first night of a back-to-back for L.A.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets

When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Jan 17

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet

Wednesday’s victory for the purple and gold was vital in more ways than one. When it looked like Los Angeles was about to lay an egg for the fourth game in a row, they turned things around in the second half and played their best basketball in a week. Thanks to that, they avoided extending their losing streak and may have gotten their groove back, especially on the defensive end.

L.A. looked like they badly needed a “get right” game again and, hopefully, Wednesday’s victory was that for them. If that’s indeed the case, they can use Friday’s match versus the Nets as an opportunity to build not just another winning streak but much-needed momentum as their schedule gets tougher.

Besides building momentum, Friday’s game against the Nets could be the perfect opportunity to experiment with some lineups and schemes. JJ Redick mentioned in Thursday’s practice that he aims to play more two-big lineups moving forward in small doses.

This is a huge development considering that he has had a penchant for relying on small ball lineups.

We saw Jaxson Hayes and Anthony Davis share a couple of minutes together against the Heat. Maybe we’ll see more of that or even AD paired up with newly-signed Trey Jemison or other big-men combinations.

Rebounding and defense will be key factors for the Lakers tomorrow against the Nets, as the latter significantly struggles in these departments. Brooklyn is coming off a mortifying 59-point loss to the L.A. Clippers, so they could either approach Friday’s game motivated to bounce back from that or let their dry spell continue.

Regardless, the Lakers should expect a tougher Nets team with D’Angelo Russell — who didn’t play in their previous match versus the Clippers — back in the lineup because, of course, he has the opportunity to put together a revenge game.

Still, L.A. should be strong enough to withstand that and one way they can do that is to avoid playing down to their opponent. Hopefully, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Austin Reaves will carry over their commendable performance from the previous game.

Note that this Nets team has lost eight of their last 10 and is currently bottom six offensively and defensively. They’re second to last in rebounds per game, so Friday’s match is the perfect time for Los Angeles to sharpen what they’ve struggled to do as of late: defend (especially on the perimeter), rebound and win.

Let’s see if L.A. can make it two in a row against the Nets on Friday.

Notes and Updates

• For the Lakers injury report, Anthony Davis (left ankle sprain) and LeBron James (left foot injury management) as probable.
• Dorian Finney-Smith (personal reasons) is still on the report as doubtful after his wife gave birth to a boy on Wednesday. There’s a good chance we don’t see the forward play against his former team on Friday.
• Then the usuals: Jalen Hood-Schifino (left hamstring strain), Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) are all out. Among these three Lakers, it seems Vanderbilt is closest to returning, but that won’t come until next week.
• As for the Nets, their injury report is akin to a grocery list at this point with Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot injury), Maxwell Lewis (left tibia fracture), De’Anthony Melton (left knee ACL tear), Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain), Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain) out. Cameron Johnson (right ankle sprain), meanwhile, is questionable.
• We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.