SB Nation just came out with the latest edition of their NBA Power Rankings, and they have the Lakers as the third best team in the NBA behind the Bulls and Heat. They also offer a quick look ahead.
↵↵↵The Lakers will be well-rested for the Mavericks' epic visit on Thursday. Now winners of 15 of 16 since the break, a win over Dallas could set up L.A. to go scorching all the way into the playoffs as the schedule eases up a bit.
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The game against the Mavs on Thursday is one of only two (Oklahoma City on April 10) marquee matchups left on the Lakers' regular season schedule. They have been absolutely rolling since the All-Star Break and they continue to climb up these rankings.
↵Take away those two losses to the Heat, and the Lakers are probably hitting in the two-hole here. In fact, take away that second Heat loss and the Lakers would be on a 16-game Winning Streak, and probably looking down on the rest of the league from the top of this list. But there is still plenty of time to get there before the Playoffs.