The Los Angeles Lakers have not won since Jan. 29, so 13 days later, a win against the Portland Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back at Moda Center does not seem likely.
Why watch the Lakers on Wednesday night?
Well, Wednesday's game against the Blazers will be the last time the Lakers play before going on holiday for the All-Star break. Nine days without watching the purple and gold lose could be viewed as a positive. Still, not having the Lakers play for nine days seems like an eternity.
The Lakers have been dreadfully poor this season with a forgettable record of 13-39. Forty losses in 53 games would not be a mark worth celebrating at the NBA's forced mid-season break, but fans should celebrate that the season that will likely end as the worst in franchise history is 63 percent over.
A win against the Blazers on Wednesday would not help the end cause of gaining the best possible draft pick, but an unlikely win would do wonders to help refresh the Lakers as they head into their break.
Entering Wednesday's game, the Lakers have dropped five games in a row, but the Blazers are not playing their best basketball either. Damian Lillard and company have lost four of their last seven games and are likely looking forward to the break as much as the Lakers are.
Could the Lakers actually win in Portland?
Well, the Lakers led with less a minute to play in Portland last time they went up to Oregon. Kobe Bryant didn't play in that game, and Jordan Hill led the Lakers with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Bryant is out for the season, and Hill is out due to a strained hip flexor. As such, the short-handed Lakers face longer odds that usual, but nothing is impossible in the NBA.
Wednesday's game is about the continued development of players like Jordan Clarkson, Wayne Ellington, Ryan Kelly and even Nick Young. Young has struggled to find his stroke against defenses focusing on him as a primary scorer. However, Lakers coach Byron Scott sounded pleased with Young's defensive effort against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
Kelly broke out against the Orlando Magic and scored 20 points, but 15 of those came in one quarter. The lanky forward has since struggled and only made two baskets in two games. As much as Young draws attention for his poor shooting, Kelly also needs to break his slump. Since the start of February, Kelly is shooting only 29 percent from the field.
Ellington, however, has taken hold of his unlikely opportunity. The 27-year-old started the season on a non-guaranteed contract but enters Portland as the Lakers' most senior starter. Over his past four games, the Ellington is averaging 14.8 points per game on 43 percent shooting. Having put up four straight games of double-figure scoring, the Lakers hope Ellington can continue contributing points at a steady pace.
Clarkson is clearly being groomed as a point guard for the future, and the 22-year-old has already shown signs of being a solid point guard. Making the 10th start of his young career, Clarkson is coming off setting a career-high in assists, seven, against the Nuggets and career-high in points, 20, against the Cavaliers.
With an eye to the future, Clarkson has been the subject of private sessions working with Steve Nash. Nash was ruled out for the season before it began, and after an extended hiatus, the 41-year-old two-time Most Valuable Player has committed to work with the Lakers' rookie.
When asked about his plans for the All-Star break on Tuesday night, Clarkson said he would spend significant time in the gym working on his game. Pressed further by NBCLA.com, the rookie said he planned to cut his vacation short to work with Nash.
The pair plan to break down film and work one-on-one. Previously, Nash and Clarkson sat down face-to-face and spoke, but the recent road trip and the furious schedule did not allow for time for the rookie to work with the future Hall-of-Fame point guard. While teammates head to tropical destinations to relax and recover, Clarkson will be in the gym working.
Wednesday night may turn into another ugly affair in Portland, but watching Clarkson's progress through the season is worth keeping an eye on. Playing in one of the toughest arenas in the NBA, the rookie should be tested. Add in Damian Lillard, and the rookie faces a mountain on Wednesday night.
However, the true measure of an NBA rookie is rising to the challenge. On Wednesday, the challenge to snap a five-game losing streak on the road on the second night of a back-to-back could not be greater.
The Lakers and Blazers will tip at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
