Here is what you need to know before the Lakers debut their city unis in a rematch with the Portland Trail Blazers.
1) Defense has led the Lakers’ ascent
The purple and gold have won five of their last six games, including three in a row.
With JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler holding down the paint, the Lakers’ defense has been the driving factor to this surge.
During this six-game stretch, the Lakers have ranked fourth in the NBA in defensive rating — a start contract from the defense that ranked just 23rd through the seven contests prior.