Here is what you need to know before the Lakers match up against the San Antonio Spurs.
1)
Kobe Bryant has seemingly stepped into a time machine, averaging 29.3 points on 44.4 percent shooting in his last three games. During this stretch, the 18-time all-star has also hit half of his 30 3-pointers and pitched in 8.3 rebounds. Perhaps even more impressively, he has shown of a dramatic flair by hitting clutch late-game shots to lead Los Angeles to wins over Minnesota and New Orleans in its last two contests.
2)
Bryant will play his final game in San Antonio — the site of six postseason clashes with the Spurs. Bryant went just 12-19 there in the regular season, while comping a 6-8 playoff record in the Alamo City.
3)
A pair of Bryant’s greatest adversaries — Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili — will not be on hand to send him off, as both are out due to injuries. The two were key figures in the Spurs’ aforementioned playoff series against the Lakers, especially Duncan, who played in each one.
4)
However, the third member of the Spurs’ seemingly ageless core — Tony Parker — will clash with Bryant in his last game at AT&T Center. Parker is in a bit of a slump, averaging just 4.7 points in his previous three games, but leads all non-bigs in field goal percentage (52.0).
5)
Stunningly, Kawhi Leonard is finally heading to his very first All-Star Game next week, adding the accomplishment to his NBA Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year trophies. The 24-year-old has gotten better every year, increasing his scoring average in each of his five NBA seasons.
6)
LaMarcus Aldridge will be joining Leonard among the NBA’s best in Toronto. The four-time all-star is averaging his fewest points (16.5) since his rookie year, but has been on a tear lately by pouring in 23.6 in his last five contests, while shooting 61.8 percent.
7)
Bryant, Leonard and Aldridge will all be under the supervision of Gregg Popovich, who has been tabbed to coach the Western Conference this year. Fittingly, like Duncan, Popovich has been there for each playoff battle between the Spurs and Lakers, as one of the two franchises has made the NBA Finals in 13 of the last 17 seasons.
8)
The Lakers have a tall task looming, as the Spurs have been legitimately unbeatable at home this season. They are 27-0 in San Antonio and have won 36 straight at AT&T Center dating back to last March.
9)
The Spurs are used to achieving greatness, but this season has been something even more special. Their 12-game lead in the Southwest Division is the largest in history and they haven’t lost back-to-back games in nearly a calendar year.
10)
Defense has been the primary reason for San Antonio’s wealth of success. Opponents are scoring a league-low 91.3 points, while shooting the second-worst percentages from both the field (43.0) and 3-point range (31.4).