We're not quite in barrel-scrapping territory in the East ... but it's pretty close. Out West, things are more competitive.

Now that he’s got his running mate on the Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant, back this season, former Spartan Jaren Jackson Jr. is getting back to his old ways. After a strong week, Jackson Jr. has been named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week.

Rival league executives believe Memphis is trying to combine a talent influx with offloading some future salary so it can facilitate a contract extension for Jaren Jackson Jr. as early as this summer.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 15 of his 29 points in the third quarter, Desmond Bane had 20 points and 14 assists and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the New Orleans Pelicans 139-126 ...

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 24 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and Desmond Bane added 22 points as the Memphis Grizzlies used a late rally to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-106.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. had 24 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and Desmond Bane added 22 points as the Memphis Grizzlies used a late rally to beat the Minnesota ...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anthony Davis had 42 points and 23 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers used a huge first quarter from the All-Star center to build a 23-point lead before beating the Charlotte Hornets 112-107 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

James Harden (24), Norman Powell (23) and Ivica Zubac (25) all scored 20+ points in the loss, snapping LA’s two-game win streak. Kawhi Leonard played a season-high 28 minutes and finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block.

For those unfamiliar with the All-Star starter selection process, fans make up 50% of the vote for two guards and three frontcourt players (forward or center) for the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. Current NBA players account for 25% and a media panel accounts for 25%. Players can vote for themselves, by the way.

The Lakers and Clippers have moved into the top 10 of the NBA power rankings and are beginning to look like true contenders.

The Knicks have won three in a row. They scored 143 points in a blowout win against the Kings. Four Knicks players scored 20-plus points. New York has one of the league's best starting lineups, but the bench is filled with questionable players.

The Thunder split their four games since beating Cleveland in a rematch of the league’s top two teams. They got back on track Sunday with a 118-108 win at Portland after a rare home loss to Dallas in the second of a back-to-back. OKC is 20-3 at home.