Forget the Austin Reaves play as he's also out now for L.A. Wish someone had an answer for how to stop this in the NBA (don't get paid if don't play? But everyone deserves sick days so I don't know). I should probably pass here, but the Lakers' lineup made me chuckle out loud -- sounds like one of those slip-and-fall law firms you see on TV -- to the point I want to have an opinion. My second-favorite Dalton (after obviously Patrick Swayze in Road House; best terrible movie ever) may score 40 tonight, but he's averaging 9.6 PPG and is a rookie. So I can see some veterans perhaps acting selfish to pad their stats in a glorified scrimmage.

With its sixth game in eight days, the most taxing stretch of the NBA season, L.A. is essentially punting. Luka Doncic will be held out, meaning the top three Lakers (also LeBron James and Austin Reaves) will spectate. The Bucks are in the early stages of a five-game swing out west, so fatigue has not set in. Milwaukee has hit a rut, with five outright losses in the last seven, and will put more emphasis in this game than will L.A.

The Bucks might be thinking this is their night with late word that Luka Doncic (ankle) won't be featuring tonight for LA, and LeBron still out, tending to his sore groin. But if we've seen anything this week in the NBA, it's that depleted teams, in the short-term, at least, are often able to compensate. Ask the Bucks, who lost to the Steph Curry-less Warriors on Tuesday, the same Dubs who lost to the Jokic-and-Murray-less Nuggets in their previous game. OKC rests most starters and beats Philly by 33. There's a pattern, and note LA has bounced back from a tough road trip (and a loss at Milwaukee) to win all three on this homestand. And the Bucks have lost 5 of 7. Play Lakers

I think this became value when Luka Doncic was ruled out because now Austin Reaves might put up 30 shots against the Bucks. Who else on that roster can score consistently to where Reaves might get eight assists? There's also the fact he played 36 minutes last night so if one team gets out to a big lead, I tend to think Reaves comes out fairly early in a third game in four nights.

I expect the Lakers to win but will take the points. Even if it becomes load management - though I doubt it goes that way. Luka is carefree and cutting it loose and the Lakers' premier defense will be a major problem for the Bucks. LAL 7-3 ATS with no rest, 9-4 ATS with rest disadvantage and entered Wed 23-11 ATS at home. Bucks lack depth, have won 2 of last 7 games and 12-19-1 ATS on the road and 7-12 ATS as road favorite and 4-12 ATS last 16 on road. JJ Reddick will have a plan to throw bodies at Greek Freak, Dame has been very erratic, and Kuzma doesn't pretend to defend. The Lakers will avenge a 20 points loss to Milwaukee.