Los Angeles needs to win out

Ultimately, if the Lakers want to set themselves up for the best chance to avoid having to play in this year;s play-in tournament in the Western Conference, then they will have to win the rest of their four regular season games. 

The last four remaining games on the Lakers’ schedule are home against the Knicks, home against the Rockets, at the Pacers and at the Pelicans. All four of these games are very winnable for the Lakers and they need to be if they are going to have a shot at taking over the Blazers in the standings. 

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Portland does not have a favorable schedule at all to close out the season, as they play the Rockets, Jazz, Suns and Nuggets. Those three final games are all games that the Blazers could ultimately lose and even if they go 2-2 in their final four games, the Lakers winning out would push them a game in front of the Blazers in the standings. 

LeBron James returning would be a huge boost to this team and ultimately give them a better chance to win their final four games, but either way, with Anthony Davis on the court, the Lakers will need to play these last four games like playoff games if they are to avoid the play-in tournament.