NBA Power Rankings: Boston Celtics, LA Clippers are getting hot at the right time

8. Los Angeles Lakers

The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers just need to focus on getting to the postseason healthy. Anthony Davis is set to return over the next couple of days and LeBron James could follow in the next couple of weeks.

They need to bring them along slowly as both LeBron and AD work their way back into playing shape. The big question is what this team will look like in the first round of the playoffs. Will they be in rhythm as a team? Will they look like the defending champs?

They’ll need to, especially if they draw the Denver Nuggets in a first-round series.

As long as this team has a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis, though, the Lakers are going to be a threat to repeat as champions. At this point, I’m not willing to bet against the Lakers heading into the playoffs.