Lakers play-in watch: What does LA need to make it to the top 10 in the West?
The Los Angeles Lakers are fighting to make it to the playoffs, but can they get there by avoiding the Play-In tournament?
Exciting stuff is happening in LA. LeBron is back with the team, and Los Angeles is looking good. But the reality is that Anthony Davis is leading the pack. The Lakers won their last game against the Bulls 121 -110. The King had 25 points, 4 assists and 7 rebounds. AD had a monster night with 38 points, four assists, and 10 rebounds. Los Angeles now sits 7 seed and is in distance of the 6 seed.
This is probably the best moment for the Lakers all season long. LeBron James’ injury seemed to have made the team rally. Finally, they are playing more like a unit. Defensively they have gotten better, something that AD might be contributing with. Austin Reeves has been a godsend for Darvin Ham. The guard seems to be finding his spot in the team now that Russell Westbrook left.
Can the Lakers make it to the play-in? Or the playoffs?
With six games left, every game for the Lakers is a final. The team needs to be perfect in this last stretch to make it to the playoffs and avoid the play-in.
With the return of James, anything is possible. The King himself said that “To hell with the play-in. We can actually be a top-six seed.”
The Lakers have a crucial game against the Timberwolves this Friday. Minnesota is a direct rival for Los Angeles. They both sit 7 seed and 8 seed, respectively.
What LA needs to do:
Timberwolves vs Lakers: Los Angeles has one less game than Minnesota. If they beat the Timberwolves, they really put them in jeopardy. They both are .500 teams at the moment.
Suns vs Lakers: This game is crucial. This could be an opportunity for LA to win against a team already ready for the playoffs and that is not fighting for much at this point. Given that Los Angeles plays last-seed Rockets once and 12-seed Jazz twice in their last six games. It’s an ideal situation.