Here is what you need to know before the Lakers return from the All-Star Break against the Memphis Grizzlies.
1) Playoff preview?
If the season were to end today, the Lakers and Grizzlies would be facing off in the first round of the playoffs. And with the Lakers owning a four-game lead for first place (and Memphis with a 3.5-game lead on eighth), it’s certainly not a stretch to think we could see this matchup in mid-April.
The Lakers have, frankly, dominated this season. Along with the second-best record in the NBA, they are one of three teams (Milwaukee, Boston) among the top five in both offensive and defensive rating.