Lakers Take on Warriors with Playoff Implications

As the regular season starts coming to a close and the playoffs loom, the Lakers are right in the thick of the battle for playoff positioning. Tonight they welcome the Golden State Warriors to Los Angeles. LA is coming off a huge win over the Houston Rockets to keep them in the hunt for the second seed in the west. Tonight they face another huge challenge against the surging Warriors.

Tonight’s Challenge

Since acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline the Warriors have climbed up the standings, currently fifth in the Western Conference just two losses behind the Lakers. LA’s main challenge defensively when dealing with Golden State will be the same as it always has been, focused around stopping Steph Curry. However, Butler gives the warriors a legitimate second option and an offensive threat that the Laker defense will have to try and neutralize. A win tonight for LA would make it very unlikely that Golden State could overtake them in the standings, so it’s a big opportunity for the Lakers to keep the teams behind them at bay.

Playoff Picture

With Denver losing last night the Lakers now have control of the three seed in the Western Conference. They are two losses back of the two seed Houston Rockets and two games in front of the Warriors. Tonight gives the Lakers a chance not only to solidify their spot in third seed, but also apply pressure on the Rockets for the number two seed.