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Los Angeles Lakers: Next five games will determine playoffs fate

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center on February 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center on February 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers were ultimately unable to overcome the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night and now enter a crucial five-game stretch.

The Los Angeles Lakers were hanging with the Milwaukee Bucks for most of the game on Friday night, which was a promising sign considering the Bucks are the NBA’s best team right now.

However, the Lakers’ poor defense and poor play led to a fourth-quarter demise and a 131-120 loss. The loss pushes the Lakers to 2-3 since the All-Star Break.

Many fans have already waived the white flag on the playoffs and last night’s game might have been the last straw. Although the Bucks are the best team and the Lakers were noticeable underdogs, the loss, mixed with a Los Angeles Clippers win, stung Laker fans.

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The Lakers now stand three and a half games out of the eighth seed and four games behind the Clippers, who own the seventh seed. The Lakers have 20 games remaining.

Of those 20 games, the next five are going to determine if the Lakers are really going to make a run for the playoffs or if the team should simply stop while they are ahead and limit LeBron James for next year.

A 3-2 record over the next five is not good enough to convince anyone that they are playoff-worthy but might be enough for the Lakers to cling onto hope and keep James’ workload heavy.

A 4-1 or 5-0 run would be enough to interject the Lakers back into the conversation. Going 2-3, like 3-2, is iffy. Going 1-4 or 0-5 should shut LeBron down completely.

The Lakers’ opponents over the next five are the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls.

The first and fifth game of that run are games the Lakers should win. The Suns and Bulls are actually better off losing than they are winning and if the Lakers mess those two up then they are not worthy of the playoffs.

However, sandwiched between those games are three tough games against the Clippers, Nuggets and Celtics. Defeating the Clippers would be huge as it would gain an entire game in the standings and beating the Nuggets would be a statement that the Lakers can beat playoff teams in the West.

The Celtics are not playing as good as they could but they are still a lock for the playoffs and tough competition, not to mention the Lakers’ biggest rival. Defeating them would be huge not only for standings purposes but to add fuel to this team.

There is a world in which the Lakers win all five of these games and would likely move within a game and a half of the playoffs. With Lonzo Ball set to return, this would be very promising for the Lakers and — bold take — would guarantee a playoff berth.

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The Los Angeles Lakers do not have the easiest schedule in the world after that but have seen tougher days. Winning these next five, or at least four of the five, is imperative.

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