The Lakers will face the Timberwolves on December 18, and the team is currently short of major generals. Westbrook, Tucker Jr., Howard, and Bradley all triggered the health and safety agreement and had to truce. Nunn and Ariza also continued to truce. Fortunately, Munch lifted the health and safety agreement to play, and the Lakers also signed Thomas Jr. to save the day.
The Lakers are expected to reach another milestone in this game, and he has played 1327 games in the NBA in his career to tie for 18th place with Jamal Crawford. As long as you play in this game, you can surpass Crawford and enjoy 18th place in history.
James has been in excellent form lately, averaging 29.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in the last 10 games and shooting 51.6 percent from the field. The last 9 games have been cut 20+, of which 6 have cut 30+. In the absence of Westbrook, James must let go of his hands and feet to attack this battle, and he will bear a lot of organizational offensive pressure.
Rondo is hopeful of getting back on the pitch, and in recent times, Rondo has dropped out of the rotation. However, in the absence of Westbrook, the Lakers must go up to Longduo, otherwise James's organizational pressure is too great, which will affect his offensive efficiency.
Rondo has finished 50th in the league with 1499 steals and can surpass Sadis Young to 49th all-time with just two steals.
The Lakers will have to make changes again, James, Davis and Ellington are expected to continue to start, and who will replace Westbrook and Bradley? The Lakers have used 14 starting lineups this season, and this time against the Timberwolves, the Lakers had to use the 15th set of starts.
The starting point guard could be handed over to Rondo or the newly signed Thomas Jr. The shooting guard will be handed over to Bazemore or rookie Reeves.
The Lakers signed Thomas Jr. for 10 days with a difficult exception. Thomas Jr.'s last appearance in the NBA was on April 12, 2021, when he played against the Kings in a Pelican jersey where he played four minutes and scored two points. Since then, Thomas Jr. has not been able to return to the NBA, and he has been out of the league for 240 days.
Thomas Jr. played in the Development League this season, including 42 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists in the Game of December 16. In the face of the Timberwolves in a state of recovery, can Thomas Jr. erupt?