On Sunday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Charlotte Hornets to close out a January to forget. After winning the first two games of 2016, the Lakers have dropped 13 of their last 14 contests and appear tethered to the bottom of the Western Conference with a view to finishing at the bottom of the NBA.
The Hornets, however, provide the Lakers a chance to snap their current nine-game losing streak. Yup, the Lakers have lost as many games in a row, nine, as they have won during the entire season. Charlotte, however, enters the Sunday on a two-game losing streak and on the final game of a four-game road trip.
Kobe Bryant, who has missed two of the past three games, is officially listed as questionable due to his sore right shoulder. The Lakers have lost two of the 10 games Bryant has missed during the 2015-16 season. If Bryant sits out, rookie Anthony Brown expects to assume the starting position and provide more minutes for Nick Young off the bench.
Earlier in the season, the Lakers lost to the Hornets in Charlotte, as Kemba Walker exploded for 38 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Suffice to say, the Lakers should game plan around the Hornets' point guard on Sunday.
For the Lakers, point guard Jordan Clarkson has been a consistent scorer in his second year as a professional. Clarkson has notched 10 or more points in 26 of his last 27 games. Against the LA Clippers on Friday, Clarkson led the team with 17 points, while also grabbing eight rebounds.
Against the Clippers, the Lakers played a competitive game for three quarters before Chris Paul and company pulled away. However, second-year Julius Randle continued to shine in his role as a starter. Randle recorded a career-high 23 points to go along with 14 rebounds in the battle for LA, which meant Randle recorded his 17th double-double of the season.
Randle ranks first in double-doubles and rebounds among Sophomore players in the NBA, which leads to more questions as to how the 21-year-old did not make the cut for the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend.
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In any case, Randle and the Lakers host Walker and the Hornets on Sunday evening. Tip-off is 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Larry Nance Jr. (knee) will not play tonight. Julius Randle will continue to start. — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 31, 2016
Notes: Lou Williams expects to play. Larry Nance Jr. is out due to a sore knee. Bryant's involvement will not be determined until game time.
