PREVIEW
If the present conjecture rings true, LeBron James may make his ultimate profession look at Atlanta in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform when the workforce visits the Hawks on Friday night time.
The four-time NBA MVP has been bothered by his workforce’s lack of success this season. The Lakers are 14-21, marking the second-worst document for any of his groups by 35 video games. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, at 11-24 in his rookie season, had been worse.
The Lakers personal the third-worst document within the Western Conference and are 3 1/2 video games behind the Golden State Warriors for a play-in playoff spot. The Lakers are 1-2 on their present five-game journey.
Head-to-head document
Regular Season Games: 336
Los Angeles Lakers: 194 Wins
Atlanta Hawks: 142 Wins
“I don’t want to finish my career playing at this level, from a team aspect,” James mentioned. “I want to still be able to compete for championships because I know what I can still bring to any ballclub with the right pieces.”
James had 27 factors in a 112-98 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday and is averaging 27.8 factors, 8.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists a recreation. In 60 profession video games in opposition to Atlanta, he’s averaging 27.3 factors, 8.0 rebounds and seven.3 assists.
“I’m a winner and I want to win,” James mentioned. “Playing basketball at this level, just to be playing basketball, is not in my DNA. We’ll see what happens and see how fresh my mind stays over the next couple of years.”
Dennis Schroder, who performed his first 5 seasons in Atlanta after being the workforce’s No. 1 draft choose (No. 17 total) in 2013, performed by left-foot soreness and scored 15 in opposition to the Heat. He is averaging 10.5 factors in 21 video games.
The Hawks performed with out three starters in Wednesday’s 108-107 loss to Brooklyn — main scorer Trae Young (calf contusion), main rebounder Clint Capela (calf pressure) and De’Andre Hunter (ankle sprain). Young is averaging 27.3 factors and 9.9 assists. The injured trio accounts for 54.3 factors on a workforce that averages 114.3.
Atlanta stayed near the Nets because of 24 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists from Dejounte Murray, 21 factors and eight rebounds from John Collins, and 18 factors with a season-high 13 rebounds from Onyeka Okongwu.
“I saw fight from our guys,” Atlanta coach Nate McMillan mentioned. “You can live with that. I thought from start to finish, we stepped up and played. We didn’t think about the guys that were out. The guys that were playing came out and played to win.”
Okongwu, the workforce’s first-round choose in 2020, has performed properly throughout Capela’s absence. He is averaging 8.8 factors and seven.0 rebounds this season however is averaging 12.0 factors and 9.3 rebounds within the six video games since Capela was injured.
“The thing for me is to stay consistent,” Okongwu mentioned. “Sometimes I can go a little up and down. It’s a long season, and I’m trying to work on that.”
Jalen Johnson performed Wednesday regardless of foot ache and matched his profession excessive with 14 factors.
Atlanta and Los Angeles are assembly for the primary time this season. The groups cut up the two-game season sequence a yr in the past, every profitable on their residence court docket.
When will the Lakers vs Hawks match be performed?
The Lakers vs Hawks shall be performed on Saturday, December 31.
At what time will Lakers vs Hawks be performed?
The Lakers vs Hawks recreation shall be performed at 6 AM IST, December 31.
Where will the Lakers vs Hawks match be performed?
The Lakers vs Hawks recreation shall be performed on the State Farm enviornment in Atlanta.
Where are you able to watch the Lakers vs Hawks match in India?
Lakers vs Hawks could be streamed on NBA League Pass.
