When these Los Angeles Lakers get a big lead, they're nearly unbeatable. In an era when points can be rattled off in a hurry, even double-digit leads are vulnerable. But the Lakers, according to Brian Windhorst of The Hoop Collective, are 30-0 when they get up by 14 points or more in a game this year.
That's impressive by itself; not blowing big leads is one of the marks of a good team, and that's a big enough sample size to believe that it's not just a coincidence. But the Lakers have also become one of the best clutch time defensive teams in the league (No. 8 in clutch defensive rating after the All-Star break), so even if teams do somehow claw back into games, fans can have confidence the Lakers won't fold under pressure.
What a world, huh?
Lakers have two important traits for playoff teams
Being able to play well from ahead is a pretty massive trait for a team to have in the postseason. Momentum swings come when you least expect them, and the Lakers will be on the wrong end of some of those on the road in the postseason. Withstanding that with the knowledge that big leads have equated to wins at a literal 100% rate this year should keep JJ Redick's team from panicking.
I think the Lakers' methodical pace helps this a bit. When teams are getting into track meets, possessions don't feel nearly as important, and it can allow opponents to sneak back into games before anyone notices. They also don't shoot many 3-pointers (No. 23 in attempts) which limits run outs and fastbreak points. A big lead, a slow pace, and an improving defense don't give teams much opportunity to close the gap... Hence the 30-0 mark.
This may not be a "secret weapon" in the playoffs because, well, it will be hard for the Lakers to get double-digit leads on teams like the Thunder, Spurs, or Nuggets. But since the All-Star break, the Lakers are No. 10 in first half net rating, meaning they have gotten off to strong starts. You can't protect a lead without building it first, as they say.
Clutch defense in the waning moments of close games, though — that could be a weapon. The Lakers have shut down Houston and Denver in recent games and the longer this goes on, the less it feels like a fluke.
This Lakers team isn't short on questions heading into the postseason; knowing that leads are safe and the defense doesn't crumble late in games should build some confidence, though.