LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers will enter their second back to back of the young season when they play hosts to the Chicago Bulls at STAPLES Center on Friday night.
Los Angeles (6-3) heads into this game on the back of a 118-109 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, which snapped a four-game winning streak for the Lakers.
“We played really poor defense in the first half,” said Lakers’ head coach Frank Vogel after the defeat.
“We didn’t play any defense tonight. Guys were able to do whatever they wanted,” said LA forward Anthony Davis.
The Chicago Bulls (4-5) comes into this game after losing 128-124 to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Chicago’s defeat ended its two-game winning streak.
LeBron James comes into this game leading the way for the Lakers in points and assists per game. The superstar forward is averaging 24.2 points and 7.9 assists per game, while grabbing 8.6 rebounds.
Davis leads Los Angeles in rebounds per game with 9.1, while scoring 22.4 points, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
Shooting guard Zach LaVine is averaging 24.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls. Coby White with 18.6 points per game, 5.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds and Lauri Markkanen, who is averaging 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds are also highlighted contributors for Chicago this season.
White is coming off a career-high 36 points in the defeat to Sacramento, while he has scored 20+ points in three straight games.
The matchup on Friday night is the first of the two regular season meetings between the two teams, with the second game scheduled for Jan. 23.
Tip-off time for the Lakers vs. Kings encounter is slated for 10 p.m. EST with Spectrum SportsNet and NBC Sports Chicago providing the live television coverage. For live radio streaming coverage, visit 670 The Score/ESPN LA 710/KWKW (S)
INJURIES:
Los Angeles Lakers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out (left ankle).
Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams: day to day (concussion protocol), Ryan Arcidiacono: out (health and safety protocols), Tomas Satoransky: out (health and safety protocols), Lauri Markkanen: out (health and safety protocols), Chandler Hutchison: out (self-isolating).
