The Los Angeles Lakers are set to open up the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening, and it should be an exciting and competitive series.
Unlike the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies, which was a grind-it-out affair at times, this series should have plenty of offense, and it should be a high-scoring one.
The Lakers had trouble consistently hitting 3-pointers against Memphis, and they will need to have better marksmanship from deep in order to knock off the defending NBA champs.
One obstacle is apparently Malik Beasley, who hasn’t quite measured up so far in his tenure with the team. Since arriving in the Russell Westbrook trade in February, he has shot 35.3% from 3-point range in the regular season and a chilly 26.3% from that distance in six playoff games.
Beasley has seen his playing time significantly reduced lately, and some fans have been calling for him to be taken out of the rotation.
It is unlikely that head coach Darvin Ham will do so, but if it were to happen, he should consider reinserting Lonnie Walker IV into his rotation.