The Lakers are inching toward a higher seed and securing home court for the opening round.
With the Western Conference being a tight-knit race, this will be a series looking at the standings and games to watch as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.
The Rockets tested the Lakers on Monday, but they passed, winning the tough home game.
With the Nuggets and Grizzlies losing their last games, everything is breaking L.A.’s way. Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference:
2. Rockets — 49-27
3. Nuggets — 47-29, 2 GB
4. Lakers — 46-29, 2.5 GB
5. Warriors — 44-31, 4.5 GB
Now that Golden State has jumped in front of Memphis, and with the Grizzlies losing four straight and firing their coach, the Warriors are a team the Lakers need to watch.
The Lakers will play the Warriors for the fourth and final time on Thursday. Los Angeles has won every contest so far.
Here are the matchups that Lakers fans should keep an eye on this weekend.
Wednesday
Jazz at Rockets — Houston has feasted on sub .500 teams this season, going 30-11 against losing opponents. They’ll be heavily favored on Wednesday when they play the tanking Jazz. This result won’t help the Lakers unless Utah has an uncharacteristic game.
Spurs at Nuggets — With the Spurs having nothing to play for and the Nuggets coming off an epic collapse against the Timberwolves, this game will likely go in Denver’s favor.
It is the second night of a back-to-back, so perhaps Nikola Jokić’s legs are tired from the double overtime loss, and that can be enough for the Spurs to pull off an upset.
Thursday
Heat at Grizzlies — A few more losses, and the Grizzlies will not be a team Lakers fans need to focus on. However, since they are just a half-game behind the Warriors, let’s see how they do against the Heat on Thursday.
Miami still has plenty to play for as the ninth seed in the East, fighting for a play-in spot. If Memphis wants to avoid being in the play-in as well, they’ll take care of business on the road.
They’ll need Ja Morant to be the best version of himself and get Jaren Jackson Jr. to play high-level defense to accomplish that.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.