The San Antonio Spurs are the best-case ninth seed for the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers did lose their last matchup to the San Antonio Spurs and split with them two games apiece this season. While that may indicate that the game could go either way, they really are the team that the Lakers should be rooting for.
The worst of the trio is the Portland Trail Blazers but if it got to the point where they could actually make the play-in then management will shut it down, play G League guys and lose that way they can still be in the NBA lottery. The last thing the Blazers’ management wants is for the players to reach the play-in and feel emboldened.
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The Pelicans have been playing better basketball over the second half of the season and while Zion Williamson is not going to return this year, they are still a team that has more star power than the Spurs.
The Pelicans, who are 1-0 against the Lakers this season, are a team that can get a few guys hot and be hard to beat. If Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum start cooking then the Lakers could be in trouble.
San Antonio’s roster is not that great, especially since the NBA trade deadline. Dejonute Murray is a solid player but that is all the team really has. There is not that much to be afraid of on the Spurs if you are the Lakers.
With three games against Portland and one against New Orleans remaining, San Antonio can easily jump into the 10th seed in the standings.