OKC Thunder face Lakers for round two – preview

Injuries and projected starting lineups:

Lakers projected starting lineup:

With LeBron James back in the lineup the presumption is he’ll play although Frank Vogel could pull a fast one and rest some of his vets. The starting five who faced the Rockets were:

• Russell Westbrook- point guard
• Avery Bradley – shooting guard
• Kent Bazemore – small forward
• LeBron James – power forward
• Anthony Davis  – center’

Lakers injuries:

• Dwight Howard (neck) missed the Rockets match and is questionable for tonight
• Wayne Ellington (hamstring) is questionable.
• Kendrick Nunn (knee) is out
• Trevor Ariza (ankle) is out
• Talen Horton-Tucker (thumb) is out

OKC Thunder projected starting lineup:

We’ll get an idea of how much the Thunder is committed to the tank if Mark Daigneault runs out the same lineup versus the Lakers as he did in the last match. The key will be whether Lu Dort can play or not. If not the five used versus the Clippers were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Darius Bazley, Derrick Favors, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

OKC Thunder injuries:

Two uncertainties for the Thunder roster are Lu Dort (shoulder) and Gabriel Deck (heel). As of Mark Daigneault’s presser on Wednesday their status remained questionable.

History:

All-Time the OKC Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers have played each other 257 times. LA owns the advantage having won 149 of those matches.

Last season the Lakers swept the season series but the Thunder are already ahead of that result this year having won the opening match 123-115.

Game Specifics:

Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Tip-off: at 9:30 p.m. Central Time (10:3de0 p.m. EST)

Where to watch the game: Bally Sports Oklahoma of NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM