Lakers schedule, Week 3

The Lakers are currently 11th in the Western Conference with a 3-4 record. Despite their 1-4 start, the team is only one win behind predictions for Week 1 and 2.

Though the Lakers have hired Mike D’Antoni to take over as head coach, Bernie Bickerstaff will be in charge prior to D’Antoni’s arrival (expected on Wednesday).

Steve Nash is expected to miss the week (leg), and Steve Blake won’t play on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs (abdominal strain).

The following is a breakdown of the team’s third-week schedule (through Sunday):

Nov. 13 vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Lakers haven’t proved much yet in their three wins. They defeated a struggling Detroit Pistons squad, caught the Golden State Warriors without Andrew Bogut and Brandon Rush, and handled the Sacramento Kings without DeMarcus Cousins and Thomas Robinson.

The Spurs are still one of the best teams in the league. It’s going to take a lot for the Lakers, short-handed as they are, to beat them. Chris Duhon and Darius Morris will need to handle the point against Tony Parker.

When it comes to be beating the Spurs, it’s about execution. The Lakers aren’t on that level yet.

Prediction: Spurs

Nov. 16 vs. Phoenix Suns

Will D’Antoni be ready to take over in time to face his ex-team? The Lakers coach is recovering from knee-replacement surgery, so it’s not a lock he’ll be on the bench.

The Suns have a lot of talent, currently holding a half game lead over the Lakers in the Pacific Division.

Former Laker Shannon Brown is the team’s second-leading scorer at 14.4 points a game off the bench.

Point guard Goran Dragic has started the season well with 16.6 points on 46.8% shooting, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals a game.

The Lakers should be able to overpower the Suns.

Prediction: Lakers

Nov. 18 vs. Houston Rockets

The Rockets are tied with the Lakers at 3-4, despite a strong start from newcomer James Harden.

Harden, acquired by Houston from the Oklahoma City Thunder right before the season, is averaging 25.9 points a game on 43.2% shooting.

Omer Asik is dominating the boards for the Rockets at 13 a game.

Houston has some depth and will be a difficult foe for the Lakers, but this is a winnable one for the home team.

Prediction: Lakers

ALSO:Dwight Howard “excited for D’Antoni”

Antawn Jamison calls time with Lakers a “zoo”

Gasol looking forward to “fun” D’Antoni system

You can email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com.

twitter.com/@EricPincus.