The Los Angeles Lakers are back in action after an emotional week and will play host to the Portland Trail Blazers, whom they have beaten twice this season.

The game should be filled with a lot of emotion as it will be the Lakers’ first game since the untimely death of team legend and LA’s favorite son, Kobe Bryant.

HOME TEAM: Los Angeles Lakers (36-10, 16-5 at home)

The Lakers return home after a shaky five-game road trip that saw them go 3-2. They will be coming off a 109-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, where the defeat spoiled LeBron James’ moving up to the third spot in the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Anthony Davis played without any restriction in his playing time against the Sixers, logging 38 minutes and scoring 31 points on 13-for-22 shooting. It could very well be a sign that the big man is healthy and fully back in the regular rotation.

LA leads the season series, 2-0. Anthony Davis (29.5 PPG), LeBron James (26 PPG, 12 APG), and Kyle Kuzma (19.5 PPG) are the Lakers’ top three scorers in those match-ups and should be able to continue doing so.

ROAD TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers (21-27, 9-16 on the road)

The Blazers are winners of two-straight games thanks to a sudden burst on offense. They are averaging 132 points and 16.5 threes per game on 53.1%-shooting in that span.

As you might’ve expected, Damian Lillard is guiding the Blazers in the blazing run. Dame’s explosion actually started before that, as he’s posting 48.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.8 assists over his last four games. Following a stretch of scoring 61, 47, and 52, he notched a 36-10-11 triple-double on the Rockets on Thursday.

Lillard will look to lead the Blazers in avoiding a season-series sweep. He’s pacing the team in points and assists against the Lakers (30 PPG, 8.5 APG). His scoring partner, CJ McCollum, is only at 16.5 PPG in the said series, but fortunately, Hassan Whiteside (18.5 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 2.5 APG) and newly-acquired Trevor Ariza (16.5 PPG in his last three) is there to possibly pick up the slack.

PREDICTION:

We should see a passionate play from both teams. Look for an aggressive LeBron, AD, and Lillard, particularly on offense.

In the end, though, the Lakers will rally for a 120-109 win.