Text/Water clearing
Today's NBA regular season, there are two games related to the ranking of the Lakers, of which the Lakers defeated the Pelicans 123-108 to achieve three birds with one stone, throwing off 2 fierce opponents and chasing 5 teams, and have self-controlled the fate of the playoffs.
Thick eyebrows 35+17 led the team to victory over the Pelicans
First, the Lakers defeated the Pelicans 123-105.
The Pelicans are one of the Lakers' competitive playoff ticket rivals, before this game, the two teams were 33-35, this game is what fans often call "a top two" key card battle, with thick eyebrows 35 points and 17 rebounds dominate the paint area, Beasley outside the three-point line 12 of 7 broke out strongly, the team bombarded 18 three-point fire, the team at most 82-42 to establish a 40-point advantage, although in the latter part of the third quarter began to be violently chased by the Pelicans, but still won smoothly, and the significance of this battle:
Beasley and Russell combined to score 10 three-pointers
1. After the Lakers defeated the Pelicans, they led the Pelicans and Jazz (both 33-36) by 1 win with 34-35, although the gap is not large, but based on the schedule has reached the end of the regular season, it is difficult to catch up.
2. Note that after the Lakers defeated the Pelicans, the team led 3-1 in 4 meetings this season, even if their own record waves, the Pelicans rebounded strongly, as long as the two sides have the same record, the Lakers still suppress the Pelicans in the ranking with a win-loss relationship.
In addition, it is worth noting that the Lakers will face the Jazz twice in the next 13 games, after the team was 0-2 down, based on the Jazz changing Beasley and Vanderbilt to the current Lakers, Clarkson and Sexton are currently injured, the Lakers have hope to equalize the two sides in the next two games, which is conducive to the Lakers advance.
2. Thunder 121-107 Nets.
Another game related to the Lakers' ranking at the same time as the Lakers, Alexander scored 35 points without solution, Keady 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists triple-double, Dort and Jaylen Williams each 20+, and the Thunder beat the Nets 121-107, so the Lakers' ranking not only did not rise from yesterday's 9th ranking, but fell to 10th in the West.
Alexander led the Thunder to a big win over the Nets
The Lakers, Thunder and Lone Rangers all have a record of 34-35, and due to the disadvantage in the win-loss relationship, the Lakers are suppressed by the Thunder and the Lone Ranger, the former two are 8th and 9th respectively, and the Lakers dropped to 10th place, which is a decline from the temporary ranking, but in the long run, it is quite beneficial for the Lakers.
1. On March 18, the Lakers will host the Lone Ranger, note that the Lone Ranger is currently suffering from a serious wave of injuries, Doncic has a leg strain, Irving has a foot injury, the two have missed two games, are currently under daily observation, and whether they can play the Lakers in three days is unknown; In addition, Wood has a foot injury, McGee has an ankle injury, and the two interior linemen are also in a daily observation state, and once the four cannot play the key card battle with the Lakers, the Lakers' hopes of winning are doubled.
The Lakers have 4 key card battles between rivals
2. 10 days later, on March 25, the Lakers faced the Thunder, the previous meeting between the two sides was a 1-1 draw, in terms of absolute strength, they have the ability to repel the opponent at home, so that the Lakers can not only improve their record, but also be able to play like today's Pelicans, with a 2-1 record between each other, even if there is a tie, they can still suppress the Thunder in the ranking.
So, on the surface, although the Lakers ranking has declined, in the long run, the Lakers and the Thunder and the Lone Ranger have come to the same running line, and since then they will play against the two teams, as long as the team can beat the two, they are expected to enter the top 8 ranks in the West, so today's victory, the Lakers bite 2 top 8 competitors.
Third, the gap between the top 3.
To mention more, after the Lakers won the key card position, the team's record was the top three in the 5-7 ranking in the West:
1. The Timberwolves are 35-34 and currently 1 win ahead of the Lakers.
2. The Warriors and Clippers are 36-33 respectively, two wins ahead of the Lakers.
Although it is difficult for teams to catch up with the current tense situation and are struggling to catch up with the rankings, the Lakers maintain their hopes of entering the top six rankings, and the initiative is still in their own hands.
The Lakers have taken the initiative into their own hands
At this point, looking at the importance of the Lakers winning this game, it can be described as killing three birds with one stone: defeating the Pelicans in the key card battle, throwing off the Pelicans and Jazz to catch up; Equals the record with the Thunder and the Lone Ranger, maintaining the hope of advancing to the top eight; In the long run, the gap with the Warriors, Clippers and Timberwolves is narrowing, maintaining the possibility of advancing to the top 6; On the contrary, if the Lakers lose to the Pelicans today, their ranking has fallen to 12th in the West...