Spring is officially here, which means two important races are heating up on the NBA calendar: one for the playoffs, the other for lottery position.
The 76ers are leading the pack of basement dwellers, having won just nine of their first 70 games. But they can't rest easy, as the Lakers are lottery-ball hungry for several good reasons.
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Despite remaining in the limelight because of the Kobe Bryant farewell tour, the Lakers are just 14-55, second only to the Sixers in futility. The worse the Lakers' record, the better, as they are trying to build for the post-Bryant era with another high-level talent to place alongside their young nucleus. Finishing in the bottom three is imperative for the Lakers if only because otherwise their pick goes to ... the Sixers.
That's right. The Sixers could potentially end up with two top five picks, while the Lakers get none.
Back in 2012, the Lakers sent a top-three protected 2015 first-round pick to the Suns, who later forwarded it to the Sixers. The Lakers kept the pick last year by getting the second overall selection, which they used on D'Angelo Russell. If they get another top-three pick, it delays again until 2017. Should they end up with No. 4 or below, the Sixers get the pick in addition to their own.
So, in essence, the worst thing the Lakers can do right now is win. The Suns and the Nets are tied for the third-worst record in the league but both have five more wins (19) than the Lakers after Sunday's games.
If the season goes as it has, the Lakers should secure the second spot in the lottery with no problem. But it's no guarantee they won't end up having to send their pick East when the lottery rolls around in May.
Stud of the night
DeMarcus Cousins had a grown-man game against the Knicks on Sunday. The Kings center scored 24 points and pulled down 20 rebounds in a 88-80 win.
Dud of the night
Damian Lillard scored 26 points but he took just as many shots. More importantly, he and his teammates were outscored 8-7 by Dirk Nowitzki alone in overtime as the Trail Blazers lost 132-120 to the Mavericks.
Tweet of the night
Don't believe Nowitzki is one of the all-time greats? Check the stats: The German import is in the same neighborhood as these Hall of Famers in terms of career points as well.
Only 4 players over the last 50 years 37 or older have scored 40 points in a game - Jordan, Kareem, Malone and now Dirk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 20, 2016
Looking ahead
Wizards (34-35) at Hawks (41-29), 8 p.m. ET: Both the Wizards and Hawks come into this game hot, riding four- and five- game winning streaks, respectively. The Wizards are trying to sneak into the playoffs at 34-35 while the Hawks are trying to fend off the Celtics and Heat for the third spot.