Lakers Look for 10-Straight Wins in Matchup vs. Pistons
The Los Angeles Lakers (46-25) are looking the best they have all season at the perfect time. They travel to take on the Detroit Pistons (51-19) on Monday night. Los Angeles seeks a 10th straight win in the contest.
Both teams are looking to close out the final part of the regular season with momentum. Los Angeles is currently the three-seed in the West, while Detroit attempts to keep its top seed in the East.
Each game for the rest of the regular season will have a factor in how the NBA Playoffs play out for two championship contenders.
Luka Doncic Continues Case for NBA MVP
MVP candidate Luka Doncic has led the way for the Lakers in their nine-game win streak. The 27-year-old has been the best player in the league in March. This stretch has been highlighted by his averages of 36.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists this month.
Doncic recorded the franchise’s first 60-point game since Kobe Bryant’s retirement game, and they will look to rely on the NBA’s leader in points per game (33.4) in their matchup against the Pistons on Monday.
Marcus Smart (ankle) and Rui Hachimura (calf) Sit Out Monday
The Lakers will be without two key role players, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura, on Monday. Smart is dealing with ankle soreness and will rest on Monday.
Hachimura is dealing with calf soreness and will miss his first game since Feb. 28.
With both Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura sitting out of this one, expect head coach JJ Redick to rely on players like Jake LaRavia, Luke Kennard, and Maxi Kleber more heavily.
Kleber, 34, is returning after missing the past seven games with a lumbar back strain.
Pistons Look for Fourth Straight Win Without Cade Cunningham
Despite losing Cade Cunningham for an extended period of time due to a collapsed lung, the Pistons have won three straight entering Monday. Detroit will rely on center Jalen Duren to lead the way once again.
In Cunningham’s absence, Daniss Jenkins has stepped up for the Pistons. In Detroit’s 115-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday, Jenkins finished with an impressive 22 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 7-12 from the field.
It will be a battle between to of the NBA’s most successful franchises this season. Expect a back-and-forth matchup between two teams that could be seen in the Finals later on this year.
