Can the Lakers avoid the play-in in the NBA playoffs this year?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of followers throughout the NBA. Throughout the 12 months we ask questions from the most plugged-in Lakers followers and followers throughout the nation. Sign up here to take part in the weekly emailed surveys.

There are three issues in this life which might be sure: dying, taxes and the Western Conference playoff race being as tight as doable.

Once once more, groups are bunched up collectively in the standings with the distinction between the No. 3 seed and the No. 7 seed being simply three-and-a-half video games.

The Lakers are proper in the center of this congestion, at the sixth spot. With LA having 18 video games left, they might simply as simply rise in the standings as they will fall right into a play-in spot.

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this weekwe requested followers the place the Lakers will end in the playoff race. The outcomes are in, and the majority of followers have the purple and gold ending the season as the fifth- or sixth-seed.

It is sensible that LA will seemingly keep the place they’re or transfer up marginally. According to Tankathonthe Lakers have the ninth-toughest remaining schedule, and all the groups they’re competing towards for a playoff spot have simpler schedules, bar the Nuggets.

While 18 video games is quite a lot of motion left, the solely method the Lakers transfer as much as the No. 4 spot or higher is by beating a bunch of groups with elite data. So far, they have not proven they will persistently do this, going 5-12 towards groups with a .600 profitable share or higher.

However, if you’re optimistic {that a} wholesome Lakers workforce can start besting these groups, then the next seed is feasible. Based on our ballot, 36% of followers assume that is what is going on to occur in the coming weeks.

While shifting up is hard, dropping all the way down to the play-in is even much less seemingly. Currently, solely the Suns have a practical probability of taking the No. 6 seed from the Lakers. With Dillon Brooks lacking video games and Phoenix going 5-5 over their final 10 video games, they don’t seem to be profitable sufficient to achieve floor in the West.

And that is why solely 11% of followers assume the Lakers are play-in sure.

It’ll be as much as them to indicate what sort of workforce they honestly at the moment are that each recreation has a bit extra at stake.