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Los Angeles Lakers: The best-case scenario for LA in the play-in tourney

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after losing to the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after losing to the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers still have something to play for this season because of the same NBA Play-In Tournament that LeBron James ridiculed last season. The Lakers are currently the ninth seed in the West and trail the eighth seed by 4.5 games with 10 games left to play.

It is safe to say that if the play-in didn’t exist the Lakers would already be booking their flights to Cancun. Instead, the team gets to hang onto the hope that they can win two games in the play-in and make the playoffs in time for Anthony Davis to return.

And as bad as the Lakers have been this season, no team wants to see LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the first round. First-round playoff matchups are meant to be easy for top seeds.

While the seventh and eighth seeds are practically locked up between the Timberwolves and Clippers, there are still a lot of moving parts. The Lakers are only one game above New Orleans for the ninth seed while the Spurs and Blazers are both lurking two and 2.5 games back of New Orleans.

There are a lot of variables, but what is the best-case scenario for the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in?

First and foremost, getting the ninth seed is obviously step one in this best-case scenario. This would allow the Lakers to be at home for the elimination game against the 10th seed, which is huge for LA. The Lakers are 20-17 at home and an abysmal 11-24 on the road.

But who should the Lakers hope finishes with the 10th seed to play them in LA? While none of the teams are elite, there is one option that is better than the rest for LA.

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