The LA Lakers will look a lot different in the near future. This is a team that was very busy at the trade deadline, practically reinventing themselves. LA hosted the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, in a game where they were without LeBron James and a lot of their new players.
The Bucks won the game in a contest that was somewhat close at the final buzzer. They, the Bucks, put up a single-digit spread in the game, winning by 9 points. The final score was Milwaukee 115, and LA 106 as the Bucks won their ninth straight game.
Bucks vs Lakers: Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 38
With the loss, the Lakers are now 25-31 overall on the season. They have 26 games left in the regular season to try and make good on their potential. Partly, you have to wonder if they waited too long to improve their roster. At six games below .500, it won't be easy to get into a top-eight seed. If they finish 9th or 10th, which isn't out of the picture, then they will be looking at at least one must-win road game in the play-in tournament.
They have to be hoping for better than a 9th seed based on their new roster. With the roster they have, they can do it but it won't be easy. They didn't do themselves any kind of favor in losing at home to the Bucks on Thursday.
LA Lakers: Recent Form Alert
- LA Lakers were 19-21 (January 8th, 2023)
- Following Thursday's game, they are 25-31
- Over about the last month, the Lakers are 6-10
Meanwhile, the Bucks improved to 38-17 with the 9-point victory. The top scorer in the game was Giannis Antetokounmpo. He had an impressive 38 points in the contest as the Bucks continue to win. They are probable to remain our top-ranked team in our NBA Power Rankings when we do our Sunday night update.
Milwaukee Bucks: #1 Ranked Team at a Glance
- Overall record: 38-17
- Home record: 23-5
- Away record: 15-12
- Winning/losing streak: W9
- Last ten games: 9-1
Further reading: NBA Power Rankings
