Los Angeles Lakers games 77-82:
Apr 1 vs New Orleans Pelicans: Win
Third time’s the charm for the New Orleans Pelicans? Nope. The Lakers beat them again and should be thankful that they see them three times over the last 24 games. It is much needed for LA.
Apr 3 vs Denver Nuggets: Loss
Jamal Murray could be back by this time but I would not bank on it. Regardless, Nikola Jokic statistically should probably be the MVP again and the thought of the Lakers beating the Nuggets to extend the winning streak to five is just silly. Nuggets by six.
Apr 5 at Phoenix Suns: Loss
The Suns will be fighting for the no. 1 seed with the Golden State Warriors at this point in the year as it will probably get closer with Chris Paul missing time. This is a must-win for Phoenix and Devin Booker plays like it is to beat the Lakers again.
Apr 7 at Golden State Warriors: Loss
What bad timing for the Lakers. Take everything I just wrote about the Suns and Devin Booker and replace it with the Warriors and Steph Curry.
Apr 8 vs Oklahoma City Thunder: Win
Sure, it is a back-to-back but the Thunder will see the finish line at this point in the year and will be deep in the thick of the tankingpalooza. The Lakers have two extremely tough opponents then get a break in this game against the Thunder.
Apr 10 at Denver Nuggets: Win
I am just going to assume that this game has some sort of implications for the Lakers with the crowded play-in scene. Meanwhile, barring a bad second half, I would assume that the Nuggets have their spot in the playoffs as the 4th-6th seed locked up for this final game. Not wanting to risk injury, Jokic and co. don’t play and the Lakers take care of the second-stringers.
Los Angeles Lakers final record: 40-42
I have the Lakers finishing with a positive 13-11 record down the stretch but that still fails to put them above .500 and definitely keeps them from avoiding the play-in. Maybe they prove me wrong in a good way this time? But I doubt it.
This winning percentage last season would have made the Lakers the 10th seed. As it stands right now, this winning percentage would put them exactly where they currently are: the ninth seed in the West.