The Los Angeles Lakers are currently in the midst of theirtoughest stretch of the season.
Startinglast Thursday in Denver, nine of their next 11 games were against playoff teams with six of eight against teams currently bunched up with them in the Western Conference standings.
With 18 games remaining, the NBA’s marathon 82-game season is now a sprint to the finish — that magical time when fans begin squinting at the standings like stockbrokers watching a volatile market.
Every loss feels like disaster.
The next nine days could decide if the Lakers will havehomecourt advantagein the first round of the NBA playoffs.
But that begs the question: Do the Lakersneedorwanthomecourt advantage in the first round of the NBA Playoffs?
Of course, if you ask any player or coach publicly, they’ll say the right things. Homecourt advantage matters. The crowd helps bring energy. Sticking to your normal routine helps. Sleeping in your own bed helps.
But the reality of the NBA playoffs — especially in the Western Conference — is that matchups and health matter far more than geography.
Right now, the Lakers sit in the middle of the Western Conference traffic jam. Seeds three through six are separated by a single game heading into action Monday night. Oklahoma City and San Antonio have already pulled away at the top like two sports cars leaving a crowded freeway.
Everyone else is stuck jockeying for position.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
