Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

3. The Lakers lead the NBA in scoring.

We will start with a non-standings based prediction and one that isn’t too bold. The Los Angeles Lakers will lead the NBA in points per game this season. For starters, the Lakers finished 11th in points per game a season ago, averaging 108.1 points per game. This was without their two lead ball handlers Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram playing a quarter of the season a piece.

It also helps that the Lakers added the two catalysts of a pair of the top five offenses in the NBA. The LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers finished fifth in points per game (110.9 PPG) and Rajon Rondo ran the New Orleans Pelicans third ranked scoring offense (111.7 PPG), who happened to be the fastest paced team in the NBA.

Combine this personnel with the Los Angeles Lakers desire to play an extremely uptempo style of basketball and this offense will be as potent as any in the NBA. The Lakers finished third in pace last season and will play small-ball lineups more than anybody in the NBA. The Lakers are second among NBA teams in pace this preseason, and it’s been startling to see LeBron and this team’s desire to push the ball up floor after a make, miss or turnover.

The Lakers will deploy four shooters and three ball handlers at all times, producing mismatches everywhere on the court. Their defense may not be stingy, leading to plenty of high-scoring affairs every night. The Los Angeles Lakers talent and offensive system are aligned for this team to lead the NBA in scoring.