Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that VanVleet (knee) is ramping up his rehab work, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
Kessler was highlighted as a strong fit with Luka Doncic after the Lakers paid a steep price to acquire him, Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports reports.
Thompson agreed to a five-year, $208 million extension Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Thompson agreed to a five-year, $208 million extension Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Castro signed a two-way contract with the Rockets on Wednesday.
Grimes figures to have an opportunity to fill the two-way role the Lakers need on the perimeter, with his defensive ability potentially being just as important as his production on the offensive end, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Doncic (hamstring) recently stated he is "100% healthy again," Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Knecht could receive a larger offensive opportunity following LeBron James' departure, as the Lakers have significant scoring to replace, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
LaRavia could see an expanded role following LeBron James' departure, though the Lakers' additions of Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Sandro Mamukelashvili should create added competition for frontcourt minute, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Vanderbilt should continue to provide defensive value after LeBron James' exit from the Lakers, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Game two saw several Houston Rockets clear their points prop by just a half a point. Amen Thompson was one of those players and he did so without attempting a shot over the final eleven minutes of the fourth quarter. That will not happen again whether the Rockets get swept or not. With Kevin Durant out, look for Thompson to become second in line in shots tonight behind Sengun. With Thompson’s slashing ability giving us an opportunity for layups, and three to four trips to the line. Take his over.
A team that could have multiple players excel tonight in the prop market are the Houston Rockets. In games one and two they under achieved as a team offensively scoring below 100 points. That angle as well as Reed Sheppard having his minutes cut leaves the door open for a player like Tari Eason. Eason has been left open on the perimeter by the Lakers, and has scored in double figures in both games. Take Eason’s over in game three.
Going back to the regular season, the LA Lakers have now won four straight matchups over the Houston Rockets. The playoff level a team can rise to just was not there in LA for Houston. A warranted spread from oddsmakers does not always show initially in a series. I expect that tonight with the Rockets backs against the wall, and the Lakers getting healthier with Austin Reaves now questionable. A must win game where the tide can change by taking care of business on their home floor. Lay the number with the Rockets.
The Lakers have won and covered their last five games, and they've been doing it without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. It's quite an amazing transition, and I think LeBron James likes the power he has in this role. He's put the team on his back, and he's showing great leadership. More importantly, LeBron is having fun, which could spell bad news for the Rockets. They beat the Rockets twice in back-to-back March games at Houston, and now they've won four in a row. The Lakers aren't going away, and I think they cover Game 3.
DraftKings. I’m jumping back on this Jabari Smith Jr. combined line for Game 3. Smith Jr. has put up 28 and 24 combined points plus rebounds in the Rockets two games, despite Kevin Durant’s status. With Durant questionable again (notably with a new injury), Smith Jr. should once again be poised for big minutes whether KD suits up or not. And even with Reed Sheppard to play more, I’m expecting him to carve into Josh Okogie’s playing time.
Ime Udoka is promising rotation changes after the Rockets failed to score 100 points in either of the first two games vs. the Lakers. Udoka also said Reed Sheppard will play more than the 11 minutes he saw in Game 2. Sheppard still had three assists in that limited action, after posting eight assists in Game 1 when Kevin Durant did not play. Durant is questionable with a sprained ankle. Even if he suits up, I like Sheppard to play 15-20 minutes and dish out at least three assists. The Rockets have been stagnant offensively and Sheppard can help address that with his 3-point shooting and playmaking.
Through two games in the Lakers-Rockets series, Rockets Alperen Sengun has had 24 potential assists, with his team converting 6 of 10 chances in Game 1 and 5 of 14 chances in Game 2. The chances were there in Game 2, but the Rockets did not convert. Sengun has hit 6 assists in four of the last six games, with 5 and 4 in the other two. The Lakers ' game plan is to not let Sengun beat them down low, so he has plenty of kickouts. Rockets just need to convert, which they will in the must-win game Friday night.
