The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-109 on Sunday, solidifying their current position in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament and taking a step towards the playoffs.
Los Angeles still has work to do to advance to a top-six seed and avoid the play-in tournament, but they maintain momentum with two straight wins against potential championship favorites in the Milwaukee Bucks and Timberwolves.
Let's take a look at where the Lakers and everyone else stand in the playoff picture after Sunday's game.
western conference
- Oklahoma City Thunder, 45 wins, 19 losses
- Denver Nuggets, 44-20 (1 GB)
- Minnesota Timberwolves, 44-21 (1.5 GB)
- Los Angeles Clippers, 41-22 (3.5 GB)
- New Orleans Pelicans, 39 wins, 25 losses (6 GB)
- Phoenix Suns, 37-27 (8 GB)
- Sacramento Kings, 36-27 (8.5 GB)
- Dallas Mavericks, 36-28 (9 GB)
- Los Angeles Lakers, 36-30 (10 GB)
- Golden State Warriors, 33-30 (11.5 GB)
eastern conference
- Boston Celtics, 49-14
- Milwaukee Bucks, 42 wins, 23 losses (8GB)
- Cleveland Cavaliers, 41-23 (8.5 GB)
- New York Knicks, 37-27 (12.5 GB)
- Orlando Magic, 37-28 (13 GB)
- Philadelphia 76ers, 36-28 (13.5 GB)
- Indiana Pacers, 36-29 (14 GB)
- Miami Heat, 35-29 (14.5 GB)
- Chicago Bulls, 31-33 (18.5 GB)
- Atlanta Hawks, 29-35 (20.5 GB)
Western Conference Prediction: Play-in tournament team wins first round of series
There are too many stars in the race for the play-in tournament for the Western Conference's top teams to comfortably advance to the first round.
The play-in tournament could consist of the Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry, the Dallas Mavericks with Luka Doncic, and the Phoenix Suns with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. There is sex.
It's not just star power, but plenty of playoff experience and championship rings. Additionally, the two teams coming out of the tournament will be looking to generate momentum from wins over top seeds that may have some early rust.
The Denver Nuggets are the reigning champions and should have little trouble making the opening round if they earn the top two seeds, but the Oklahoma City Thunder and Timberwolves are far from a playoff challenge.
OKC hasn't made it past the first game since 2015-16, when Durant and Russell Westbrook led the way, while Minnesota last made it past the first game in 2003-04.
Both teams are contenders that are a year or two away from competing for a championship, with young stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards leading the way, and some of the league's top players are showing that with their play. I'll wait for you to prove it. In a tournament.
As a result, there will likely be at least one major upset.
Eastern Conference Prediction: Celtics Overcome Difficulties and Reach NBA Finals
The Boston Celtics have advanced to five of the past seven Eastern Conference Finals, but have advanced to the NBA Finals only once during that span.
This will be twice from this year onwards.
Boston has the best record in the NBA and could easily gain home court advantage through the Eastern Conference playoffs, even if they are on cruise control for the remaining games. This will give head coach Joe Mazzula the opportunity to reduce the amount of time given to key players late in the season, allowing them to be fresher for the playoffs.
And ultimately, this will be a team ready for a long run to the NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are still leading the way, as they have been for most of the Eastern Conference Finals appearances. But this season, they have better help in Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzisis, and a revamped Derrick White.
Holiday is one of the best perimeter defenders of his generation and will be important in postseason series against Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Tyrese Maxey, or Tyrese Haliburton. It will play a role.
Porzisis' presence pulls opposing bigs away from the rim and opens up attacking lanes for Tatum and Brown, while White is a fifth option capable of taking over games at times throughout the season.
It would be a shame if they didn't make it to the NBA Finals, and the Celtics will likely take advantage of being the No. 1 seed to make it into the playoffs.
