Coming off their two-game road trip, the Lakers look to keep piling up the wins when they play the Utah Jazz at home on Tuesday. This will be the second NBA Cup game for both teams in Group B.

Start time and TV schedule

WHO: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

When: 7:30 PM PT, November 19

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: Spectrum SportsNet

It didn’t take long for the Lakers to put together a five-game winning streak this season. This is definitely an encouraging sign, especially since it took Los Angeles until March to do that last season. And not to jinx it or anything, but the best thing about this winning streak is that it’s sustainable considering the way the purple and gold have been playing lately.

The Lakers will be at home for the next three games, where they remain undefeated. Tuesday’s game will be an NBA Cup match, with Los Angeles also remaining undefeated since last season. It’s nice to be on the right side of these winning streaks and hopefully, contrary to the famous saying, they aren’t about to be broken.

In order for the Lakers to maintain their winning streak – whether it be their overall record, at home or in the NBA Cup – some aspects of their game still need to improve. Let’s start by looking at it from the standpoint of their matchup against the Jazz:

Can the Lakers’ defense improve?

This is what I’ll be paying most attention to in Tuesday’s game against Utah, which features two fast-scoring starting guards in Jordan Clarkson and Colin Sexton. Clarkson and Sexton are exactly the type of guards the Lakers defense struggled to contain early in the season, especially before replacing D’Angelo Russell in the starting lineup for Cam Reddish.

In addition to their backcourt, the Jazz also have a talented frontcourt with Lauri Markkanen and John Collins, two of their best scorers on the team. So this game will be a good test of the Lakers’ overall defense, as the only way Utah can keep up with them is if one or two of their players get hot.

The Jazz, who rank fifth in points allowed, will likely be no match defensively against the Lakers’ top-five offense.

Can the Lakers handle the Jazz early?

Maybe it’s the fact that the Lakers have had way too many nail-biters lately, but it would be nice to see Los Angeles take care of Utah early. This isn’t to say the Jazz will be a cakewalk as there is no opponent in today’s NBA, but it is important to note that they have struggled to start the year. They have won just three of their first ten games and were on a six-game losing streak to start the season. They are also playing their third match in four nights.

A good indicator of whether or not a team’s winning streak is legitimate is based on how they dominate non-playoff teams. Hopefully the Lakers can do that against a Jazz team that won’t let them take this game easy. Let’s see if the Lakers can make it six in a row and remain undefeated on Tuesday, both on their home court and in the NBA Cup.

Comments and updates

• The Lakers’ latest injury report states Anthony Davis (left plantar fasciitis) is likely on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura (sprained left ankle) remains questionable. Cam Reddish, who played against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a right peroneal strain, is no longer on the roster.
• The usuals: Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery), Jaxson Hayes (left ankle sprain), Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (left groin soreness) to stay out. Bronny James (left heel contusion) is doubtful.
• As for the Jazz, Walker Kessler (right hip) and Taylor Hendricks (right fibula) are out.
• We’re live at Playback for this game, so make sure you’re there!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.