Los Angeles Lakers: 3 intriguing back-to-back sets for 2018-19 season

3. March 26 vs. Washington Wizards, March 27 at Utah Jazz

I know people overlook the Washington Wizards as an underachieving team led by a talented backcourt that struggles to put forth a consistent winning product every year. I admit I fall for them as a contender every year, and this year is no different. They were an unhealthy mess with little chemistry a season ago and still pushed the top-seeded Toronto Raptors to six games in the first round of the playoffs.

WIth all of their players healthy right now, I suspect John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. to establish themselves as one of the most talented cores in the Eastern Conference in a post-LeBron world. Outside of that, Wall went full tilt at Lonzo Ball last season in this exact matchup, and new Wizard Dwight Howard returns to Staples Center in what will surely be a night full of heckling for the now journeyman and former All-Star.

After hosting the Wiz, the Lakers travel to one of the most difficult venues in the NBA, and a place LeBron’s teams have not won in some time. He has not won a game on the Utah Jazz home court since 2011, developing into a personal house of horrors for his teams despite playing well in the seven straight losses. The Utah crowd is raucous every evening, but seems to amp up its energy level for the King’s arrival.

Add in the fact both teams are two of the more talented in the Western Conference with a strong mix of youth and veteran players filling out their rotation, this could be a potential preview for a playoff series down the line. Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and my favorite NBA player Joe Ingles should all continue to improve together, and with this being the second game of a back-to-back for the Lakers, this could be the King’s ninth straight loss in Salt Lake City.