If the Los Angeles Lakers want to maintain their chances of earning a postseason spot, they must defeat the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Yet, a defeat for LeBron James and company might mean that they are eliminated from the Play-In competition. At this juncture, Lakers supporters will also want to pay close attention to Friday’s game between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.
For starters, it is worth noting that the Lakers come into Friday’s bout against the Suns as the favorites. This is after Phoenix decided to rest Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton. LA, on the other hand, has listed LeBron James and Anthony Davis as questionable, but the general expectation is that both superstars will play. The same is the case for D’Angelo Russell, who has been listed as probable to play.
A loss for the Lakers against an extremely shorthanded Suns, however, will be disastrous — especially if Stephen Curry and the Warriors end up securing a win against a Kings side that will also be giving De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Kevin Huerter the night off. If the Lakers lose and the Warriors win, LeBron and Co. will need to settle for a Play-In spot, and they will have to battle their way to the seventh or eighth seed in the West.
If the Lakers win and the Warriors lose, however, LA will overtake the Dubs for the eighth spot given that it’s the Lakers who own the tie-breaker against the defending champs.
Source: https:/clutchpoints.com
