All Lakers Expert Predictions As LA-Golden State Series Arrives In Tinseltown

Can LA take a 2-1 lead tonight?

Tonight, your Los Angeles Lakers will do their darnedest to ensure that a repeat of their miserable Game 2 road performance against the Golden State Warriors doesn't happen at Crypto.com Arena.

LA will host the reigning NBA champs for the first time in this series, currently knotted up at 1-1. Per Land of Basketball, teams with a 2-1 series advantage go on to advance 79.8% of the time, so it would certainly behoove the Lakers to try to snag a victory at home.

1. Will Dennis Schröder show up on offense?

I'm dubious. The Lakers' reserve point guard has enjoyed just one good scoring game in these playoffs (but two in the postseason, thanks to a 21-point outburst in the Lakers' play-in game victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves), but like Anthony Davis, always shows up on the other end. Los Angeles primarily needs him to spell Jarred Vanderbilt in guarding Warriors All-Star point guard Stephen Curry. Scoring over 10 points tonight would just be a bonus, although it would certainly help.

2. Can Anthony Davis rebound after a disengaged Game 2?

For the Lakers' sake, he better. Typically throughout these playoffs, Davis has had an "every other game" approach to his offense. He has yet to string together terrific consecutive scoring showings, but he also doesn't generally have two low-impact offensive games in a row. He always brings it on defense, however, which will prove critical tonight against a sharpshooting Warriors team that could continue to force him away from his preferred real estate in the post. Look for him to have a 20+ point game on efficient shooting, an improvement over his meager 11-point night on Thursday.

3. Will LA beat the spread?

The Lakers are three-point betting favorites to win tonight at home, per The Action Network. Look for Los Angeles to cover that spread and win by multiple possessions. I'll say we're looking at another close one. Let's say LA by eight.

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