LeBron James could move past Michael Jordan into fourth place on the NBA all-time scoring list when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers welcome the No 2-seeded Denver Nuggets to Staples Center hoping to revive their fading playoff hopes.
The Nuggets (42-21) have been struggling recently, having dropped three in a row. Luckily for them, however, their closest Western Conference rivals have also been struggling - Golden State are 3-4 since the All-Star break and the Oklahoma City Thunder have lost three out of their last four outings. That has allowed Denver to maintain second place in the West and remain just two games out of first place.
The Nuggets most recent loss came by just one point against the Spurs in San Antonio, despite Denver knocking down 17 three-pointers. Nikola Jokic, per usual, delivered an impressive double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jamal Murray supplied 25 points.
Trey Lyles (left hamstring strain) and Michael Porter Jr (low back surgery) are out. Tyler Lydon and Brandon Goodwin are on G League assignment.
Meanwhile, the Lakers (30-34) are simply hoping to be in the postseason at all. They have lost five of their last seven games, including three straight losses.
Most recently, the Lakers took a crosstown loss to the Clippers on Monday night. The defeat came despite a triple-double from veteran point guard Rajon Rondo and 27 points from LeBron James.
The team's lack of shooting remains a major issue, as the Lakers are just 28th in the league in three-point percentage and hold the seventh-lowest offensive rating in the league.
The Lakers currently sit six games out of eighth place in the West and will face an uphill battle to force their way back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
Brandon Ingram (right shoulder soreness), Lance Stephenson (left foot, second toe sprain) and Tyson Chandler (neck stiffness) are questionable. Kyle Kuzma (right ankle sprain) and Lonzo Ball (left ankle sprain) are out.
Key battle: LeBron James vs Michael Jordan!
If he scores 13 points against the Nuggets, James will succeed Jordan as the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history.
While the campaign has been disappointing for James in terms of team success, he has enjoyed a history-making season in individual terms. Earlier in the season, he passed Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list and recently became the only player in NBA history to rank among the top 10 in both scoring and assists.
Passing the legendary Jordan will be a moment to savour for James.
Last time out
Numbers game
474 - That's the total number of assists Nikola Jokic has supplied for his team-mates this season. It's an average of 7.6 per game, a figure almost unheard of for a center or forward/center. He is simply the best passing big man in the modern game.
In fact, only one center in NBA history has posted better assist numbers. The legendary Wilt Chamberlain averaged 8.6 and 7.8 assists per game in the 1967/68 and 1966/67 seasons respectively. Not bad company for Jokic to be keeping!
One of watch (Nuggets): Paul Millsap
The Nuggets haven't seen the best of Millsap yet this season. He has struggled with nagging injuries and, at 34, is not the All-Star player he was in his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks.
Nevertheless, his influence on the Nuggets is palpable. Ignoring their recent three-game losing streak, the Nuggets won 11 straight games in which Millsap took the court.
Millsap also stepped up his offensive game over the last month, posting 25 and 21-point performances either side of the All-Star break and hauling down double-digit rebounds in five consecutive games. His experience will be vital as the Nuggets strive to hold on to the No 2 seed (or challenge the Warriors for No 1) heading into the postseason.
One to watch (Lakers): Rajon Rondo
With the Lakers' young core ailing, the onus falls on veteran guard Rondo to support LeBron James until the team are back to full strength.
Rondo was excellent in the loss to the Clippers, posting a triple-double to back up James' team-high 27 points. Can he keep it going against the Nuggets?