After we spent all season feeling confident in a three-horse NBA title race between the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, the two iconic franchises out west have entered the conversation.

Our NBA insiders break down this week's Power Rankings, with the Lakers climbing up and one of the East's hottest teams now cracking the top 10.

The Lakers are on a seven-game winning streak and have climbed to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference standings. On Tuesday night, they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 136-115. After the game, Shaquille O'Neal from "Inside the NBA" discussed whether the Lakers are now legitimate contenders.

The good news for the Lakers is that Knecht appeared to be just fine despite the hard foul and was able to finish the game. He recorded 13 points, four rebounds and three assists to help the Purple and Gold dominate, 136-115.

For Mavericks fans, losing a 25-year-old generational superstar in Doncic was painful enough, but seeing him assist LeBron’s history-making three-pointer only added salt to the wound. The trade that was supposed to secure the Lakers’ future has instead strengthened their present, making them more dangerous than ever.