Lakers Rumors & News Recap: Three Consecutive Wins?

Tonight, the Lakers play the Nets for what we hope to be the Lakers’ third consecutive win. Most of the dust has settled from the early season drama and the Lakers have continued to improve since the coaching change. Most notably, the last two games the Lakers have done a much better job of controlling the ball, which has led to less unnecessary points given up to their opponents. L.A.  limited their turnovers to 13 on Friday against Phoenix and 12 on Sunday against Houston. Keeping turnovers low will continue to be a crucial factor in them winning tonight.

Steve Blake is reported to not be in the lineup tonight. Since Blake will be out for at least the next two days, Darius Morris will have another chance to impress on the court. There is no timetable on Blake’s return as he continues to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Morris had a career high 12 points (in 31 minutes) in Sunday night’s win against the Houston Rockets, so Blake does not need to rush his return.

D’Antoni is expected to coach tonight much to the anticipation of many fans. D’Antoni could not have sounded more excited to finally assume his proper spot on the court during game time, saying himself that he was “psyched” about this evening. Lack of energy, due to a continued recovery from knee replacement surgery, was D’Antoni’s main reasoning behind deciding to watch Sunday’s win from the training room. It has been over a week since the Los Angeles Lakers chose Mike D’Antoni over Phil Jackson as the team’s new head coach. Since hiring D’Antoni, the Lakers have won three out of the last four games with a fast-paced style of offense.

For more on the pregame report, check out Elizabeth Benson’s post before tip-off at 7:30pm.

Brooklyn Net (6-2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (5-5)
7:30 PM PST, November 20, 2012
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: TWC Sports Network, NBATV
Radio: 710 ESPN (English) 1330 KWKW (Spanish)

Nets Projected Starting Line-up
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Joe Johnson
SF: Gerald Wallace
PF: Kris Humphries
C: Brook Lopez

Key Reserves: G MarShon Brooks, G C.J. Watson, F Andray Blatche

Jabari Davis of Lakers Nation discusses the notion of the Los Angeles Clippers somehow being able to wrestle the attention and NBA-loving hearts of the city away from their building (NBA) co-tenants. For some reason, many have begun to think with the Lakers slow start and the Clippers playing exceptionally well, there is a new King in town. But Davis has a few words for those of you ready to jump on the Clippers bandwagon, and some mementos to remind Lakers fans why the Purple and Gold are still the team to beat in L.A. Make sure to check out his post through the link above.

D’Antoni fans and Lakers fans, its that time again; desktop bling. Get ready for tonight’s game by being the Lakers fan #1 with this Welcome to Los Angeles D’Antoni piece of art. Special thanks to GOLDEN24KNIGHT for the wallpaper, and check out our Forum Club wallpapers section for more great Lakers Nation wallpapers for all your devices.

Lakers Nation News

Lakers Still ‘Kings’ Of L.A. Despite Clippers Increasing Improvement

NBA Power Rankings Week 4: Knicks, Grizzlies Stay Hot; Lakers Coming On Strong

Lakers Wallpaper: Welcome to Los Angeles Mike D’Antoni

Lakers News: Mike D’Antoni Will Make Lakers Debut Against Nets

Lakers vs. Nets Pre-Game Report: Lakers Look for Third Straight Win

Adam Silver Calls Howard-Magic Fallout “Unfortunate Circumstance”

Dwight Howard Debuts All-White Lakers Jersey In NBA Christmas Promo

Shootaround Report: Mike D’Antoni “Psyched,” Steve Blake Out

NBA News: Dwyane Wade Talks About Process of Winning a Championship

Lakers News

Beast or Burden: Spewing Flames [Silver Screen and Roll]

Mike D’Antoni Will Coach Lakers Tuesday [Silver Screen and Roll]

Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers Game Preview [Silver Screen and Roll]

Preview and Chat: The Brooklyn Nets [Forum Blue and Gold]

Morris Seizing The Moment [Basketblog]

Howard Puts Brooklyn in the Rearview [Lakers Index]

3-on-3: Two New Look Teams Clash [Forum Blue and Gold]

Darius Morris an Agent? [LA Times]

Magic on Concerns About D’Antoni’s System in L.A. [ESPN]

Dwight Howard Stars in NBA’s Christmas Day Promo [Inside the Lakers]

D’Antoni to Debut vs. Brooklyn [Basketblog]

Howard Puts Brooklyn in the Rearview [ESPN]

D’Antoni Takes the Practice Floor [Los Angeles Lakers]

Hidden Key to the Lakers Recent Success? They’ve Cut Down Their Turnovers [ProBasketballTalk]

Mike D’Antoni’s Status to Debut as Lakers Coach? Definitely Maybe [Daily News]

Darius Morris Making Most of Opportunity [Inside the Lakers]

Lakers: Week 4 Predictions [LA Times]

Nets Succeeding Without D12 and D12 Without Nets [SB Nation]

Lakers vs. Nets: What to Watch [ESPN]

NBA News

Writing the Unwritten [Hardwood Paroxysm]

Marcin Gortat’s Rebellion [Gothic Ginobli]

Andrew Bynum, Cosmic Jokes, a Lack of Answers and Encroaching Fear in Philadelphia [Ball Don’t Lie]

The Thing Is… The Clippers Are Locking Down [Hardwood Paroxysm]

Darko Milicic Considering Leaving Celtics to Return to Europe [Yahoo Sports]

How Accurate are Marcin Gortat’s Criticisms? [SB Nation]

James, Durant Named Conference Players of the Week [NBA]

Brooklyn Nets Face Los Angeles Lakers to Start Tough Schedule [Nets Daily]

Dwyane Wade of Miami Regrets Playing vs. Los Angeles Clippers — Should Have Rested My Foot [ESPN]

Jose Calderon, Indispensable In Toronto [Hardwood Paroxysm]

Player Capsules 2012, #283-285: Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon, Steve Novak [Gothic Ginobli]

Brandon Roy Will Undergo Arthroscopic Knee Surgery, Missing His Return to Portland [Ball Don’t Lie]

NBA — Best Teams [ESPN]

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