Preview: Lakers at Wizards WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Lakers, looking to rebound from a lopsided loss, visit the struggling Washington Wizards on Friday night at Capital One Arena in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions. The Lakers (28-18) enter after a 129-99 road defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, which snapped a stretch of generally strong play. They had won five of their previous seven games. Superstar guard Luka Doncic, the focal point of the Lakers’ offense, is averaging 33.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 8.5 assists over his last 10 games. He is coming off a 29-point, six-assist performance in the loss to Cleveland. The Wizards (12-34) have the second-worst record in the NBA but are coming off a 109-99 home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. Rookie forward Alex Sarr, a bright spot in a difficult season, is averaging 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks over his last 10 contests. He posted 29 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks in a win over Portland on Jan. 27. Los Angeles holds a significant edge in experience and record, with National Statistical’s ELO system giving the Lakers a 74.6% probability to win. The Lakers’ veteran core, including LeBron James and Deandre Ayton, will test a Wizards defense that ranks near the bottom of the league. For Washington, containing Doncic’s playmaking and weathering the Lakers’ runs will be critical. The Wizards have lost 10 of their last 13 games despite Sarr’s emergence. The game begins a three-game Eastern Conference road trip for the Lakers, who face the New York Knicks next on Sunday. The Wizards host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday to continue a five-game homestand. Friday’s contest tips off at 7 p.m. EST.