If the Los Angeles Lakers’ blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday – one that got the team booed by its home crowd – was alarming for those with money on their playoff chances, the team’s remaining strength of schedule is even more concerning.
The Lakers, who occupy the ninth seed in the Western Conference, have the second-toughest schedule remaining in the NBA, according to Tankathon. Struggling with a Pelicans team that is 10th in the conference and 2.5 games behind them doesn’t bode well for their chances to climb out of the bottom two spots in the play-in tournament. Especially with Anthony Davis out for the foreseeable future.
The difference between the first two and last two play-in spots is having to win an extra game, facing elimination both times. With the way the Lakers have played, consecutive wins is a lot to ask. It also can’t be assumed they’ll even remain a top-10 team.
Lakers futures as of Feb. 28 at Tipico
- NBA Title: +4000
- Western Conference Title: +1500
- Pacific Division Title: +50000
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LeBron turns it over the Lakers 18th turnover of the game and the booing begins pic.twitter.com/kRd9RzZJts
— Ted Budd 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) February 28, 2022
The Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs are also chasing the Lakers. The Blazers, who are tied with the Pelicans, aren’t likely to win at a high clip as they appear to be in tank mode. Then again, they have the easiest remaining schedule left in the league. The Spurs are just a game behind the 10th spot and actually have a positive scoring margin this season despite their 24-37 record. They’re 5-5 in their last 10 and have the 12th easiest schedule left.
Between those teams, the Lakers will be clawing to stay in the play-in tournament and give themselves a shot at the playoffs. Unless one of those teams goes on a serious run, however, seven and eight in the conference aren’t likely to change. The Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Clippers are 4.5 and 3.5 games ahead of the Lakers, respectively.
While neither is likely to capture a top-six seed and automatic playoff berth, they’ll both have an easier time finishing the season than the Lakers. The Timberwolves’ remaining opponents have a .500 combined record (14th toughest) and the Clippers, who beat the Lakers for a third time on Friday, have the eight-toughest schedule.
The Lakers do have the best title odds of any Western Conference play-in contender, should they advance to the postseason. Their +1500 odds on Tipico Sportsbook are tied with the Dallas Mavericks for sixth-best in the conference.
