The Los Angeles Lakers are inching closer to their fifth consecutive Pacific Division title, and have three regular season games remaining to get it done. Kobe Bryant is scheduled to return after missing seven games with a left shin injury, but the Lakers have a tough weekend schedule against the top two teams in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Friday - Lakers at San Antonio (6:30 p.m. PDT, ESPN, KCAL): The Spurs are a game ahead of the Thunder in the loss column in their race for the top seed in the West, so the Lakers will definitely play a factor in playoff seeding. Friday in San Antonio is the third meeting in 10 days between the Lakers and Spurs, with each team winning on the road. The Lakers hope that trend continues.
Sunday - Oklahoma City at Lakers (12:30 p.m. PDT, ABC): Derek Fisher makes his third return to Staples Center as a member of the Thunder, and second road battle against the Lakers. The Lakers are 0-2 against Oklahoma City this season.
The Lakers' magic number to clinch the Pacific Division is two.
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