The 4-Point Play looks at the four analytics-based storylines that will make you smarter when watching Friday’s game between the Portland Trail Blazers (5th in ESPN's Basketball Power Index) and Los Angeles Lakers (26th in BPI). Our BPI gives the Blazers a 71 percent chance of winning:
1. The Trail Blazers have a 20 percent chance or better of facing the Grizzlies, Clippers, Rockets, or Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
2. The Trail Blazers have the sixth-best offense and 10th-best defense in the NBA. The Warriors and Spurs are the only other teams that are in the top 10 in both.
3. The Lakers have a 12 percent chance to get the top pick in the draft and a 37 percent chance to have a top-three pick.
4. The Lakers have the hardest schedule in the league this season.