Lakers vs. Nets preview: It's good to be back

The All-Star break has come to an end for the Los Angeles Lakers as the Brooklyn Nets make a stop at Staples Center. The Nets were on the verge of acquiring Reggie Jackson from the Oklahoma City Thunder, but a sudden swing with the Utah Jazz turned Enes Kanter into the prize for OKC, so most of their roster remains intact Friday night.

The Nets are one game back from the No. 8 seed and sent Kevin Garnett back to Minnesota in exchange for Thaddeus Young. Garnett's averaging a career-low 20.3 minutes per game, and Young could help Brooklyn going forward. This is a team that should beat the Lakers, but that could get a bit more complicated with Jordan Hill expected to return for the Lakers.

Hill missed the Lakers final six games heading into the break after suffering a hip flexor injury. He practiced with the team without any limitations earlier in the week and should find his way back into Byron Scott's frontcourt rotation. Jordan Clarkson spent time with Steve Nash over the All-Star break as he continues breaking into his new role. Scott hinted he'll be looking at changing the rotation within the first few games back, but it's unclear what kind of changes could be coming.

Enjoy the game and getting back to basketball after a far too long break.

Time: 7:30 p.m. PT

Station: TWCSN