GAMES OF THE WEEK

LAKERS AT NETS SATURDAY, 8:30 P.M., ABC

Chances are, you circled this one on your calendar, probably with your favorite magic marker.

It should be – okay, could be – a preview of the NBA Finals.

But a lot has to happen for both of these teams to make it that far.

Both have been suffering from serious injuries this season, and injuries to some serious players. The Nets just got Kevin Durant back after he missed 23 games with a leg injury, and now James Harden will miss about two weeks with a hamstring strain.

In fact, the Nets’ Big 3 of Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden have barely had a chance to be on the floor at the same time.

If that sounds bad for the Nets, imagine how the Lakers feel.

L.A. is currently without Anthony Davis, who suffered a calf sprain on Feb. 14. And one of their other main players, a guy named LeBron James, suffered a high ankle sprain last month and is still out.

ABC cannot be happy about this because if both of those players were able to be on the court, this would be a ratings bonanza.

Instead, it’s just a game between two of the best teams in the NBA.

Actually, there are still plenty of reasons to watch. The final stretch of the season should tell us how Durant will fare during the postseason. If he can put it all together at the right time, Brooklyn could be impossible to beat – as long as the other two are on the floor, as well.

Harden has certainly made a case for being the NBA’s MVP, but either of the other two have shown they are also capable of carrying the team, too.

It will be fun if the Nets and Lakers do meet again in the Finals. This one won’t exactly give us a look into the future but it’s still a must-watch.