Preview: Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - Los Angeles Times
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Preview: Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Newly acquired forward Luol Deng talks to reporters after his first practice with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
(Mark Duncan / Associated Press)
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The Lakers have an opportunity to end their four-game losing streak when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-24) Tuesday night.

The Cavaliers are another sub-.500 Eastern Conference team but the Lakers recently fell to the Milwaukee Bucks (7-30) and Philadelphia 76ers (12-25) at Staples Center.

With a plethora of injuries, the Lakers have shown they can lose to just about any team.

Add Pau Gasol to the list of walking wounded. The team’s forward/center is a game-time decision with a toe injury.

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The Lakers will also play without Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee).

The Cavaliers have a lot of talent but have struggled for consistency this season. The team is hoping Luol Deng, recently acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, will help them climb into the top eight in the East.

Key matchup

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Kyrie Irving is one of the league’s most dynamic point guards.

He’s averaging 21.7 points and 6.1 assists per game -- at a position where the Lakers have minimal depth.

Kendall Marshall has played well for the Lakers, averaging a double-double with 13.6 points, 11.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in five starts. He’s shooting 46.4% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range over that stretch.

Just a few weeks ago, Marshall was in the NBA Development League. Matching up against Irving should prove to be a challenge.

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X-factor

Deng has played just two games for the Cavaliers, averaging 11 points a game.

On the season, Deng has shown he’s capable of a lot more, notching 18.4 points through 23 games with the Bulls.

The Cavaliers don’t necessarily have a dominant secondary scorer but Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, C.J. Miles, Jarrett Jack and Anderson Varejao are averaging between 8.3 and 14.8 points a game.

When healthy, the Lakers had one of the highest-scoring benches. Now it’s basically Nick Young, the team’s leading scorer at 16.3 points a game.

Outlook

Under normal circumstances, the Lakers should be the favorite over the Cavaliers at home.

With injuries derailing what was a promising start to the season, the Lakers are vulnerable against any opponent.

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ALSO:

With team slumping, Nick Young says, ‘It’s hard to be a Lakers fan’

Pau Gasol a game-time decision Tuesday with a strained tendon in toe

Xavier Henry to slow down comeback after experiencing knee soreness

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

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