Warriors and Lakers’ Playoff Hopes
The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers are among the most popular teams in the NBA. As the regular season approaches its end, fans are eagerly watching to see if both teams can secure playoff berths or even crack the top 6 in the Western Conference. While currently sitting at the 9th and 10th spots in their respective divisions, the Warriors and Lakers face challenging but not insurmountable paths to secure playoff berths.
Strength of Remaining Schedule
According to statistics from relevant data websites, the Lakers have a remaining regular-season schedule strength of 0.555, ranking 7th in the league. Their upcoming opponents include the Timberwolves, Pelicans, Cavaliers, Warriors, and Grizzlies. However, the Lakers recently secured a 125-120 victory over the Washington Wizards, marking their third consecutive win and improving their record to 44 wins and 33 losses. With only a 1.5-game difference from the 6th-placed Suns, they still have a chance to surpass the Pelicans and the Kings.
Warriors’ Recent Performance and Schedule
On the other hand, the Warriors currently have a record of 41 wins and 34 losses, facing a more challenging situation compared to the Lakers. However, they have also managed to secure a 5-game winning streak recently, pulling ahead of the Rockets, who were previously on a streak, by 3 games.
Schedule Strength and Opponents
The good news for the Warriors is that their remaining schedule has a strength of only 0.471, roughly ranking 19th in the league. They will face tougher opponents such as the Mavericks, Pelicans, Lakers, and Rockets, as well as weaker teams like the Trail Blazers and Jazz.
Playoff Aspirations
Despite having only 7 games left, the Warriors still trail the 6th-placed Suns by 3.5 games. Besides needing to win their remaining games, their chances of cracking the top 6 in the Western Conference may also depend on other teams’ performances. Nevertheless, there is still a considerable likelihood that they will aim to secure a playoff spot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Warriors and Lakers are in the midst of a heated playoff race. With favorable schedules and recent winning streaks, they have bolstered their chances of securing playoff berths or even moving into the top 6 in the Western Conference. (JILICC)