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Analysis: Los Angeles Lakers ' chances of making the playoffs avoiding the Play-In
NBAMonday, 11 March 2024 at 18:45
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the hunt for a playoff spot and their dominant 120-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday not only gave them a crucial boost, but also positioned them closer to their goal. The win, their second in a row, keeps them alive in the fight to avoid the Play-In spots in the Western Conference.
Despite their recent positive streak, the Lakers still have ground to make up to secure a top-six finish and avoid the playoffs. They currently occupy ninth place in the West with a record of 36 wins and 30 losses. However, they are only 2 games behind the sixth-place Phoenix Suns and 4 games behind the fifth-place New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers' situation in the Western Conference has become even more exciting as they move toward the end of the regular season. With 16 games remaining, every game is crucial to their playoff aspirations. In addition, they face a challenging schedule with a series of matchups against top-tier teams.
The Lakers' remaining schedule is not easy, as they will face teams with winning percentages above .500 in 10 of their next 16 games. This includes matchups against powerhouses like the Milwaukee Bucks and the Timberwolves themselves. In addition, nine of these games will be away from home, adding an additional layer of difficulty to their road to the playoffs.
Despite these challenges, the Lakers have shown significant improvements in their offensive game in recent months. Since mid-January, they have climbed to second place in offensive rating, led by a formidable trio in LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell. During this period, the Lakers' Big 3 has been averaging an impressive 72.5 points per game, which has contributed greatly to the team's success.
With Russell cementing himself as a reliable third option and the team maintaining a well-balanced offensive attack, the Lakers appear to be in a solid position to secure their spot in the playoffs. However, they will need to maintain their momentum and overcome the remaining challenges on their way to the postseason.
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