After a loss dropped them back to the 9th in the conference, the Lakers (45-34) face off against the Warriors (43-35) in another game with major standings implications. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. on Spectrum SportsNet and nationally on TNT.
Below are three things to know ahead of the matchup.
STANDINGS RACE INTENSIFIES
Whatever margin for error the Lakers had in their final handful of games went away after their loss to the Wolves on Sunday evening. Unfortunate as it was to not have LeBron for the entire game and AD for all but a quarter after taking a hit to his left eye, the Lakers needed to win that game to keep riding the wave of momentum they'd established to climb up -- and then stick in -- the standings.
Instead, dropping that game moved them back down to 9th in the conference. And with just three games remaining on their own schedule, and every one of the teams they are chasing functionally two games up in the loss column (the Kings are only one game up, but own the tiebreaker), another Lakers loss would require the teams above them to falter more than anyone could reasonably expect for the Lakers to pass them.
Below is a full picture heading into Tuesday's games:
If there is a silver lining in the Lakers needing teams above them to lose at least two games, it is the fact that those teams still do have some games against each other -- and the Lakers still have a game against the Pelicans. This guarantees one of those teams suffering at least one loss. Here are the remaining sets for each team:
- Suns (6th, 46-32): vs. LAC, @ LAC, @ SAC, @ MIN
- Pelicans (7th, 46-32): @ POR, @ SAC, @ GSW, vs. LAL
- Kings (8th, 45-33): @ OKC, vs. NOP, vs. PHX, vs. POR
- Lakers (9th, 45-34): vs. GSW, @ MEM, @ NOP
Like the Lakers, all of these teams are fighting for the best seeding and will do their best to keep out of the bottom half of the play-in. But if the Lakers can handle their side of things, they can position themselves to move up.
STANDINGS STAKES VS. THE WARRIORS
While the above lays out what the Lakers need to do to climb up out of 9th, Tuesday's game against the Warriors carries major implications to ensure they do not fall in the standings.
If the Lakers do not win this game, it would give them the same number of losses as the Warriors, allowing the Warriors to control their own destiny to climb to 9th and earn home court for the 9/10 play-in game.
If the Lakers win, however, they would separate themselves by two games in the loss column and win the tiebreaker, and with just two games remaining on the Lakers schedule after this one, the worst they could do is finish with the same record as Golden State. In this scenario, the Lakers would finish no worse than 9th.
Needless to say, then, this game has huge implications and can be thought of as a playoff game that has the ability to lock the Lakers into a position where they would at least host a play-in game as the 9th seed and still give them the chance to win a single game and get into the postseason as either the 8th or 7th seed.
LEBRON AND AD QUESTIONABLE
With so much on the line, it would be great to have as many players available as possible -- and especially both LeBron and AD. However, heading into today, both are listed as questionable with the same ailments that impacted their availability in Sunday's game.
On the positive front, after sitting out against the Wolves on the 2nd night of a back-to-back as part of the ongoing maintenance and recovery process following his knee surgery, Gabe Vincent will be available vs. the Warriors. Vincent's point of attack defense can be particularly helpful against Steph Curry and the rest of the Warriors dynamic guard core, while his shooting and ball movement on offense can help the Lakers reserve groups find their footing.
Overall, however, the Lakers will be hopeful that their superstar duo can be available, even if they are somewhat limited. The Lakers advantages against most teams are in the paint offensively, and that is especially true against a Warriors team that, despite rookie big man Trayce Jackson-Davis starting some games and getting more minutes, can still be vulnerable in the paint and on the backboards.
Further on the defensive side, AD is critical to protecting the paint and maintaining the integrity of the Lakers overall structure on that end of the floor as the rare player who can play at the level of the ball against the Warriors shooters and then recovering back to the rim to contest shots and rebound. And then LeBron is one of the smartest defensive players against the Warriors offensive schemes and his communication on the back line of the defense and in calling out their sets can help give the Lakers an edge that can be all the difference.
With that, we will wait and see if both can give it a go and give themselves the best chance to get a much-needed win.