The Los Angeles Lakers seek their fourth straight victory when they host the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA Cup showdown on Friday. The game starts at 10 PM ET and will air on Amazon Prime Video, Spectrum SportsNet, and Spectrum SportsNet+.

The Lakers have won three straight, taking down the Sacramento Kings in their last contest, 116-103. This is their third home game in their last four contests. They are 7-2 on the season, 3rd in the West. This is their second NBA Cup game. They are 0-1 in the tournament.

The Trail Blazers are on top of the Western Conference with a 6-1 record. They have won three straight, taking care of the Phoenix Suns in their last game, 132-119. This game concludes a four-game road trip for the team. This is their first NBA Cup contest.

This is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Blazers won 136-129 on October 27. Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, and Jrue Holiday all had over 20 points for the Blazers in that contest. Luka Doncic had 41 for the Lakers.

Walker Kessler is AVAILABLE but still wearing a left finger splint. Kessler has been wearing a splint all season, but has yet to miss a game. In nine contests this year, he is averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.

Sandro Mamukelashvili is QUESTIONABLE with an illness. He has yet to miss a game this season. He is averaging nine points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in nine games.

Cameron Carr and Bronny James are OUT on G-League assignment.

The Lakers started Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, Walker Kessler, Matisse Thybulle, and Jake LaRavia against the Kings.

Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton are the top draws off the bench, though Jarred Vanderbilt could see more playing time if Mamukelashvili is sidelined.

They have the 2nd ranked offense, but the 19th ranked defense.

Ja Morant is OUT with a left hamstring strain. On October 30, the Blazers announced that Morant would miss at least four weeks with a grade 2 hamstring strain. He is averaging 15.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in four games.

Vit Krejci is OUT with a left ankle fracture. This will be the first game he’s missed all season. He is averaging 2.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in seven contests.

Shaedon Sharpe is OUT after undergoing right meniscus surgery. On August 24, the team announced that he would miss six months following surgery.

John Tonje is OUT on a G-League two-way deal.

The Blazers have started Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, and Scoot Henderson with Morant out of the lineup.

Jrue Holliday, Sidy Cissoko, and Robert Williams have been the top three players off the bench.

The Blazers have the top ranked offense and the 12th ranked defense.