Lakers: Predictions for Week 3

The Lakers so far have one win in six tries, slotting the team at 13th in the Western Conference.

They’ll play four games through Week 3, with three on the road -- against the Miami Heat (4-3), the Orlando Magic (3-4) and the Dallas Mavericks (3-3) -- before returning home to host the surging Detroit Pistons (5-1).

The Lakers are two wins behind the cumulative prediction of 3-3.

Tuesday at Miami Heat

Miami has a veteran-laden team with hopes they’ll be a postseason challenger.

They’re led by champions Dwyane Wade (18.9 points a game) and Chris Bosh (16.6), but center Hassan Whiteside may be the difference-maker.

Whiteside is averaging 14.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and four blocks a game, while shooting 63.9% from the field.

Miami is allowing just 90.4 points a game, while scoring 96.6. The Lakers give up 110.7 -- 6.3 points more than they score (104.3).

Prediction: Heat

Wednesday at Orlando Magic

Orlando has a young team, searching for footing in the Eastern Conference.

The squad is loaded with talent, including guards Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo and forwards Tobias Harris and Aaron Gordon. Center Nikola Vucevic has been dealing with a knee injury and may not be available against the Lakers.

If there’s a game the Lakers steal through Week 3, it’s against the Magic -- but they would have to do so while playing their second game in as many nights.

Prediction: Magic

Friday at Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers have already lost once to the Mavericks, who have a veteran guard core of Deron Williams, J.J. Redick, Raymond Felton and Devin Harris to match up against the Lakers’ younger, inexperienced tandem of D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson.

Of course Dallas still has former NBA most valuable player Dirk Nowitzki.

The Mavericks are somewhat vulnerable, as the team works players back from injury, but at this early stage of the season, Dallas looks better than the Lakers.

Prediction: Mavericks

Sunday against Detroit Pistons

Andre Drummond is a legitimate NBA most valuable player candidate, averaging a stunning 20.3 points and 20.3 rebounds a game.

On Sunday, Drummond scored 29 points with 27 rebounds against the Portland Trail Blazers -- and that wasn’t his season-high in boards, which is 29, established two games prior against the Indiana Pacers.

The Lakers may benefit from the Pistons playing on the second night of a back-to-back set, but if they want any chance of winning, center Roy Hibbert is going to have to find a way to contain Drummond.

Prediction: Pistons

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