Lakers playoff scenarios: Ranking LA's best possible matchups
The Lakers clinched the playoffs, division, and a 50-win season on Tuesday. Which potential first round playoff matchup would be ideal for them?
The Los Angeles Lakers have secured their spot in the playoffs . Now, with six games remaining in the regular season, they have a chance to solidify their claim to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
LA's path is relatively simple: four wins, or four Denver Nuggets losses, or a combination of two Lakers wins and two Nuggets losses would keep them in the third seed at the end of the season. With two tanking teams in the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz, that should be more than feasible -- but getting at least a split in an upcoming two-game series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder would be crucial for the Lakers, and for Luka Doncic's MVP campaign. The top six in the Western Conference are pretty close to set, with the current sixth seed, the Minnesota Timberwolves , holding a 4.
5-game lead over the Phoenix Suns entering Thursday. The Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Nuggets are all locked in, along with the Lakers. The Houston Rockets can clinch on Thursday night with a Suns loss.
Here's a quick rundown of possible first-round playoff matchups the Lakers may face, ranked from most to least desirable. Phoenix Suns This is an unlikely matchup as the Suns trail the current sixth-seed Timberwolves by 4. 5 games and are almost certainly bound for the play-in.
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