Season series: Lakers, 2-1.
Story line: With LeBron James leading the league in assists in his second season in Los Angeles and Anthony Davis the beneficiary of many of them in his first, the Lakers rolled to the best record in the West and their first playoff appearance since 2013. They finally learned their opponent Saturday when Portland beat Memphis to win the NBA's first play-in spot.

Key matchup: James or Davis vs. Carmelo Anthony. Anthony hit some clutch shots during the restart and has a chance to win a playoff series for the first time since 2013. But he'll have to show he can defend a likely first team All-NBA selection to stay on the floor, a lot to ask at 36.