All Lakers Expert Predictions For Matchup Against Tanking Trail Blazers

Can LA maintain its winning ways back home?

Tonight at Crypto.com Arena, following a four-game road trip (on which LA went 1-3), your 4-5 Los Angeles Lakers are set to do battle against a 3-5 Portland Trail Blazers team that's missing three of its best guards in rookie point guard Scoot Henderson, reigning Sixth Man of the Year combo guard Malcolm Brogdon, and young star Anfernee Simons.

Unfortunately, LA will be missing its offensive leader, All-NBA small forward LeBron James, out with a calf contusion.

So what can we expect in tonight's matchup? We answer your burning questions below.

With LeBron James sidelined, how will Darvin Ham adjust his starting five?

Ham demoted Austin Reaves out of his first five in favor of minimum-salaried ex-lottery pick Cam Reddish ahead of Friday's bout against the Phoenix Suns, an eventual 122-119 victory. Will Reaves be promoted to the starting lineup for some more playmaking, or will Ham go a different way? I assume he'll opt to keep Reaves on the bench and promote power forward Rui Hachimura for a formidable frontcourt of 3-and-D small forward Taurean Prince, Hachimura, and future Hall of Fame center Anthony Davis.

Can LA cover their anticipated -8.5-point over/under?

With James on the shelf, I still think Los Angeles can win, but I don't trust that 8.5-point spread. I'd take the under.

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