Anthony Davis carries Lakers into playoff picture

Davis is playing at the MVP level he showed earlier in the season before a foot injury cost him 23 games. Tuesday night, he dominated the Memphis Grizzlies’ front line, finishing with 30 points on just 17 shots and 22 rebounds.

AD is doing it without James or the Lakers’ top deadline addition, point guard D’Angelo Russell, who missed the last six games with a sprained ankle. Russell should return Friday, while James is having his injured foot reevaluated in about two weeks.

The hot streak has lifted the Lakers into ninth place in the Western Conference, the first time this season they’ve been in a playoff position in the standings. Technically it’s still a play-in spot, but with the way Davis has been playing, the Lakers should be a feared opponent regardless of James’ status.

That’s because the Lakers’ hot streak has happened against a string of playoff rivals. Los Angeles has beaten the Warriors three times in four weeks, a great omen for their chances in a potential play-in matchup. Davis is a matchup nightmare for the undersized Warriors. He scored 39 points against them on Sunday, including 12 points in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers also beat the Mavericks, Grizzlies, Thunder and Pelicans, vaulting over the latter two in the standings. While they’re not the same team without James, the Lakers are set up to keep winning until his return, with seven of their next nine games at home.

As long as Davis can stay healthy, the Lakers are staying afloat. If and when James gets healthy, he may be returning to a team that’s a serious playoff threat.