Lakers vs. Trail Blazers preview: The All-Star break is nearly here

The Los Angeles Lakers are one game away from the All-Star break but have to go through a grueling 48 minutes against Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers to get there. One night after giving up 32 points to Ty Lawson the Lakers have to put the clamps on Lillard on the second half of a back-to-back.

Wayne Ellington has played well, averaging 14.8 points per game over the last four contests and becoming an off-ball threat for the Lakers' offense. It's still in it's early stages, but Ellington is whipping around the court and forcing defenses into mistakes. Or at least the Nuggets' defense last night while he went 8-of-13 for 18 points.

The Lakers are averaging 96.4 points per 100 possessions since this huge stretch of losing began on Jan. 11 against the Trail Blazers. That's good for the second-worst offensive rating on the season. L.A.'s defensive rating has been 106.3. When this is your starting lineup:

Thing's have gone terribly wrong somewhere.

This may be the last time some of these players put on a jersey for the Lakers. Enjoy the final game of the 13-39 Lakers.

Time: 7 p.m. PT

Station: TWCSN