The Los Angeles Lakers are on a remarkable streak in the NBA, positioning themselves well for a strong playoff run. However, they face a crucial challenge in securing their spot in the Western Conference without getting entangled in the play-in tournament.
Stakes are High
Avoiding the nine-vs. pre-season tournament with the first-round play-in tournament games would be the most sought-after calendar event for the Lakers. The danger of the two—- the play—is real and shows the fact that it is better to be seeded in a higher position.
Tiebreaker Tussle
The Lakers’ loss to the New Orleans Pelicans this Friday, March 12, has particularly significant meaning for us. A win would be a prize because we’d have the tiebreaker advantage. Putting just one game between themselves and the Lakers, the Clippers aim to heavily diminish this gap before Sunday’s decisive battle inevitably unfolds.
Final Push
It could be their last opportunity to evade the play-in purgatory. For that reason, they have to finish out the rest of their fixtures with five wins. As it is always tough to occupy the fifth or sixth position, the seventh and eighth ranks can still be carefully nurtured since the Western Conference is a peppy and competitive one.
Kings, Pelicans, and Suns
The dynamic between the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans is quite similar. They are gradually inching towards the line because they are playing a mutual game. As the pinnacle of the league, being part of the Western Conference has a positive impact on both teams; however, the competition does not sleep because of the huge setbacks they have faced.
Crucial Showdown
Sunday evening will host a match between the Kings from Sacramento and the ones from Phoenix. This is a decisive playoff opportunity for our guys to continue winning in the regular season. We will seize the opportunity and the momentum brought by getting the tiebreaker and advancing in the Suns’ standings. Sacramento’s goal now is clear.
Final Thoughts
As the final round of regular-season games approaches, the importance of each match is getting accelerated for the team that is still in a scramble for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Assuming that the Lakers, Kings, Pelicans, and Suns can avoid facing daunting contestants, it may prove difficult for each to earn a playoff spot, and it highlights that there is more to NBA competition than just the established and readily predictable rivalries.
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