NBA 2018-19: 3 things to watch out for as Lakers go on road to face the Timberwolves

In tomorrow's NBA Western Conference match-up the Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center.

Both teams have started this year fairly bad and will look to change things in this game. While the Timberwolves will look to build momentum from their last game after their win, the Lakers will look to snap their losing streak in hopes of showing Magic Johnson and the authorities that this young team can get wins even without their injured star LeBron James.

James is expected to miss this game as well. He is still rumored to be evaluated for his groin injury soon.

As for the Timberwolves, they will hope to get back the services of the returning Derrick Rose who is expected to become an All-Star this year thanks to some serious love shown by fans all across the globe.

With all that in mind, here are the 3 things to watch out for in this game.

#3. How will the Lakers cope in an away game without LeBron

The Lakers are having their worst run of the year with the absence of LeBron James. This is not a shocking thing, but they're much worse than what was expected. In the past 5 games, their record has been 1-4.

Now, after the recent injury updates, chances are LeBron won't be back for at least 4 more games. This is going to be a pressuring time for the Lakers as they will be on away games against good teams who are easily capable of beating them.

They're already on the border at 8th seed, and if they don't turn things around, they will be out of the playoff contention.

It's time for the Lakers' young guns to show up.

#2. The trio of Rose, Towns, and Wiggins

Since the Timberwolves have parted ways with Jimmy Butler, they have been relying heavily on a second option to show up and start delivering results for them. Andrew Wiggins has showed the potential to do just that.

He has been having his best run so far in this season along with with Derrick Rose, who is one of the contenders for the most Improved player of the Year and also a potential All-Star this year.

The Timberwolves are slowly starting to figure things out and create that perfect match with their players, which will help propel them to a push for the playoffs. They're still in the race in the wild west. It's wide open right now and any team except the Phoenix Suns look like they have a chance at the Playoffs, including the Timberwolves.

#1. It's high time for Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram

The Lakers are missing the services of LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, and now even Kyle Kuzma is questionable. They are in dire need of someone else to show up and take the mantle in their hands.

In this time they can look up to only two of their young and highly touted draft picks Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, who were both picked No.2 overall in their respective drafts.

Up to now, we have not been able to see any star potential in any of these two, and there is a pressure mounting on the front office to trade these players for a proven star if they fail to deliver on the goods that were promised.

If there was any perfect time to show up then it's now. The Lakers want it and these two clearly need it.