Lakers (29–19) vs. Nets (13–35) | Game 49 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 3
Tip-off: 4:30 p.m. PST
Location: Barclays Center — Brooklyn, N.Y.
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
GAME PREVIEW
The Lakers conclude their eight-game Grammy road trip Tuesday night in Brooklyn, looking to rebound after a frustrating 112–100 loss to the Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
Los Angeles enters at 29–19, still sitting sixth in the Western Conference but continuing to search for consistency against quality opponents. The loss in New York marked the first time all season the Lakers fell in a game they led at halftime, underscoring a recurring issue that has plagued them throughout the year — third-quarter execution.
Against the Knicks, the Lakers played a disciplined first half, staying ahead behind Luka Dončić and LeBron James. That structure unraveled after halftime, as New York erupted for 38 third-quarter points, turning a four-point Lakers lead into a double-digit deficit that never shrank.
The road trip has featured highs and lows against quality opponents and bottom-seed teams, as L.A. has a 20-8 record against teams under .500 and 9-11 against teams with winning records.
We still can see Austin Reaves make his return to the Lakers' starting lineup after a 17-game absence. He was a game-time decision in New York and will likely be a game-time decision again in Brooklyn. Coach JJ Redick said Reaves would make his return on the road trip.
The Lakers are 4–3 on the road trip and can get back to the win column against a Brooklyn team that has struggled to be successful in the win column all season. But, if L.A. has another abysmal third quarter, a young Nets team will surely take advantage of that.
NETS
Brooklyn enters Tuesday near the bottom (third) of the Eastern Conference at 13–35, having lost eight of their last nine games behind the worst scoring offense in the NBA.
The Nets are coming off a 53-point loss to the Pistons on Sunday in a game where Brooklyn shot 33% from the field (yes, field) on just 24 made field goals and 23% from 3. Which explains why they are the worst team in the NBA in field goals made.
And that wasn't even their worst loss of the season, having lost by 54 a couple of weeks ago against the Knicks, where they finished with just 66 points.
Brooklyn has a clear one-man offensive engine, and that's Michael Porter Jr. He has carried the scoring load behind the ultimate green light, averaging 25.6 points per game while logging heavy minutes as Brooklyn’s primary option.
Inside, Nic Claxton remains the connective tissue of the roster. He leads the team in rebounds (7.4), assists (4.0) and blocks (1.4) per game, anchoring Brooklyn’s defense while facilitating offense from the high post.
The supporting cast has been uneven. Cam Thomas is Brooklyn's sole scoring punch off the bench at 16.0 points in just 23 games this season.
The Nets are 6-17 at home, while the Lakers are 17-11 on the road.
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Nets have the 26th-rated offense (110.5) and defense (118.0) in the NBA. Here are their notable rankings this season:
Brooklyn currently sits:
Last in points per game (107.1)
Last in FGM (37.5)
Last in FG% (44.2%)
26th in 3P% (34.3%)
Last in REB (40.3)
INJURY REPORT
Lakers:
Bronny James (lower left leg soreness): Out
Austin Reaves (left calf strain): Questionable
Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain): Out
Nets:
Ziaire Williams (calf): Probable
Noah Clowney (lower-back sprain): Probable
Haywood Highsmith (knee): Out
THREADS FOR THE GAME
The Lakers will wear their iconic gold uniforms, while the Nets will don their black Icon Edition uniforms at Barclays Center.
NEXT MATCHUP
The Lakers return home following the conclusion of their Grammy road trip, beginning a homestand at Crypto.com Arena later this week.