Our Top 10 NBA Power Rankings heading into All-Star Weekend! Thoughts? #NBA | #Allstar | #TSP pic.twitter.com/EWVA7r3737
— Talking Sports Podcast (@TalkingSportsPD) February 14, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers
Last Week:7
Record: 32-20
OffRtg: 114.6 (9) DefRtg: 113.9 (17) NetRtg: +0.8 (13) Pace: 98.6 (22)
Luka Dončić played his first two games as a Laker last week, but they split their home-and-home series with the Jazz, seeing their six-game winning streak come to an end in Utah on Wednesday.
Three numbers to know
Statistically, the Lakers were the second most improved team between Christmas and the All-Star break, 8.7 points per 100 possessions better over that stretch (plus-5.9, fifth best) than they were through Christmas (minus-2.8, 21st).
They’ve seen the league’s biggest drop in pace, having averaged 2.8 fewer possessions per 48 minutes than they did last season.
They lead the league in free throw differential for what would be the third straight season, though this year’s differential (+2.8 points per game) is a big drop from last season (+4.6). They’re the only team that ranks in the top five in both free throw rate (27.0 attempts per 100 shots from the field, first) and opponent free throw rate (21.8 per 100, fifth).
The Lakers are one of two teams — the Spurs are the other — with a league-high eight back-to-backs left on their schedule. The first (thanks to a postponement) is their first two games out of the break, and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage in Portland on Thursday.
Week 18: vs. CHA, @ POR, @ DEN
We’re middle of the pack among the eventual 16 playoff teams so this sounds about right. Stay at 4 or 5 then you have OKC in the 2nd round and probably DEN in the WCF. Rise up to 3 then you have DEN in the 2nd round & OKC in the WCF…tough sledding any way you slice it. I’d LOVE to see us vs a healthy Mavs team in round 1 tbh..