LOS ANGELES – Compete Like LeBron James-less than Lakers look at the 126-121 loss last Wednesday Philadelphia 76ersthe defeat just raised the stakes for their next game on the schedule, en route on Sunday against New Orleans Pelicans.
LA is currently 9th on the Western Conference standings with nine games left, and the Pelicans are hot, just half a game away from 10th.
Sunday’s game could cement the Lakers’ lead, moving them toward hosting the Pelicans in the 9-10 play-in. Or, it could turn the Lakers into a team playing from behind, desperately trying to hang on to the last starting starting position only to be rewarded by moving forward on the road to play it.
“It’s going to be a playoff-type atmosphere for us because it’s definitely a must-win, I believe, for our team,” Russell Westbrookwho had 24 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and seven passes in James’ absence against the Sixers.
James, who was ruled out Wednesday because of left knee pain, will have the chance for six days of rest leading up to the game against New Orleans.
If he feels fit enough, he will stay there, and LA will try to maintain the momentum it can generate, drawing 2-2 in the past four games. The Lakers found an attacking opportunity in those four games, generating 25 assists or more in all of them.
“We’re making progress,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel. “We’re building habits that will bring us wins after the season. And, we’re continuing to grow. I think this game, we’re disappointed that we lost. But without Bron, we’re going to lose. , do not have [Anthony Davis]tonight’s team showed everyone that we still have a lot of war left in us. “
The last time LA played New Orleans, with James in the lineup, the Pelicans sent the Lakers out by 28. 20 points or more – and struggled to find any kind of leg.
But the Lakers’ small promotion is – beat Toronto and Cleveland on the road and play Washington and Philadelphia down the line – there’s a team with their heads held high.
“I will never give up,” Dwight Howardwhose 24 points on Wednesday marked the most he’s scored in a single game since November 16, 2018. “I don’t think any of us feel like the season has just ended. We will. It’s not been the season we all wanted. It’s taken us a long time to really get started, but there’s nothing we can do now other than that. maintaining optimism, keep fighting.”
Of course, the loss to New Orleans would knock LA almost out of the play-ins altogether. The Lakers are only ranked 11th in two games San Antonio after Spurs beat Portland Trail Blazers 133-96 on Wednesday. Spurs also have two more games left on their schedule against the Blazers.
And so, in essence, this will be an extended play-in to get to the real play-in tournament for this Lakers team.
“Hopefully our team’s collective playoff experience pays off for us,” Vogel said of the task ahead.
