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NBA Playoff Picture: Where the Lakers stand after Warriors win

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 29: A general view of a NBA Wilson basketball before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the LA Clippers at the Moda Center on November 29, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 29: A general view of a NBA Wilson basketball before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the LA Clippers at the Moda Center on November 29, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers came away with a huge win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday in a game where Stephen Curry returned and LA was still playing without LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell.

It goes without saying that every Lakers game is important from here on out as the team is looking to make a push toward the NBA Playoffs. With less than 20 games remaining, LA needs all the wins it can get.

That is because the Western Conference is so compact right now. Not only can the Lakers climb into playoff contention, but they could potentially leapfrog several teams on the Western Conference ladder. Here is how everything is shaping out after the team’s big win on Sunday.

NBA Playoff Picture:

There could be plenty of movement in this playoff picture over the last month of the season, especially with how congested the Western Conference is. The NBA Play-In Tournament also makes things unique, as we will not know the no. 7 or no. 8 seeds until right before the playoffs officially begin.

Western Conference playoff picture: 

  • No. 1 Denver Nuggets (45-19) vs. No. 8 seed after play-in
  • No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies (38-24) vs. No. 7 seed after play-in
  • No. 3 Sacramento Kings (37-26) vs. No. 6 Dallas Mavericks (33-31)
  • No. 4 Phoenix Suns (36-29) vs. No. 5 Golden State Warriors (35-31)

Western Conference Play-In Tournament picture: 

  • No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves (34-32)
  • No. 8 Los Angeles Clippers (33-33)
  • No. 9 Utah Jazz (31-33)
  • No. 10 New Orleans Pelicans (31-33)
  • No. 11 Los Angeles Lakers (31-34, 0.5 GB of play-in)
  • No. 12 Oklahoma City Thunder (29-34, 1.5 GB of play-in)
  • No. 13 Portland Trail Blazers (29-34, 1.5 GB of play-in)

If the standings were to hold and the seeding didn’t change from the play-in, the Nuggets would face the Clippers in the first round while the Grizzlies would face the Timberwolves.

Eastern Conference playoff picture: 

  • No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks (45-18) vs. No. 8 seed after play-in
  • No. 2 Boston Celtics (45-19) vs. No. 7 seed after play-in
  • No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers (41-22) vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets (35-28)
  • No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (40-36) vs. No. 5 New York Knicks (38-27)

Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament picture:

  • No. 7 Miami Heat (34-31)
  • No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (32-32)
  • No. 9 Toronto Raptors (32-33)
  • No. 10 Washington Wizards (30-33)
  • No. 11 Indiana Pacers (29-36, 2 GB of play-in)
  • No. 12 Chicago Bulls (29-36, 2 GB of play-in)
  • No. 13 Orlando Magic (27-37, 3.5 GB of play-in)

If the standings were to hold then the Bucks would play the Hawks and the Celtics would play the Heat in the first round. However, not only could the play-in change the seeding but the top could as well as only 0.5 games separate the two top teams in the East.

Why there is plenty of playoff hope for the Los Angeles Lakers:

Beating the Warriors was massive for the Lakers, even if Golden State was able to gain some separation on the Lakers with the five-game winning streak. The teams ahead of the Lakers are all catchable, though, not just in the standings but with how they are likely going to finish out the season.

The Clippers have lost every game (so far) since signing Russell Westbrook and may continue to plummet in the standings. The Utah Jazz may start shutting players down to get better draft position and the New Orleans Pelicans have struggled and will be without Zion Williamson for the foreseeable future.

Things are definitely lining up for Los Angeles to make a run at the playoffs, especially after Sunday’s big win. the team just has to take care of its business from here on out.

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