Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard says “sacrifice” is how the team has navigated through the season.

There's a lot of star power on the Lakers, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way and Howard coming off the bench. Thus far, head coach Frank Vogel has done a good job of managing everyone.

Howard is taking his second chance with the Lakers very seriously. Through the first 53 games of the season, Dwight hasn’t been a distraction — on or off the court — and is playing high-level defense.

No longer a superstar in the league, Howard is coming off the bench for the Lakers and playing his role very well. He is averaging 7.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks for the Purple and Gold in 20.2 minutes per game. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is also shooting 73.8 percent from the field.

With Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee anchoring the paint for LA, the Lakers are primed to have one of the best defenses in the NBA come playoff time. LA is 41-12 on the season, which is the best record in the Western Conference.

The Lakers open the second half of the season on Friday at home against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, who would be LA's first round matchup if the playoffs started today.