Jovan Buha

So I think that's probably more of like a 50-50 for Saturday and then, if not, at some point early on the road trip.

So I think that's probably more of like a 50-50 for Saturday and then, if not, at some point early on the road trip.

So I think that's probably more of like a 50-50 for Saturday and then, if not, at some point early on the road trip.

I think it's more the latter. They just feel like in any series they play, they're going to have two of the three best players, if not arguably the two best. I think if you put them up against Memphis, you put them up against Houston, they're confident they have the two best players on the floor.

I think it's more the latter. They just feel like in any series they play, they're going to have two of the three best players, if not arguably the two best. I think if you put them up against Memphis, you put them up against Houston, they're confident they have the two best players on the floor.

I think it's more the latter. They just feel like in any series they play, they're going to have two of the three best players, if not arguably the two best. I think if you put them up against Memphis, you put them up against Houston, they're confident they have the two best players on the floor.

So I think regardless of kind of how the seating plays out, I think the two exceptions would obviously be OKC and Denver because of how great Shea and Nikola Jokic are individually. But Outside of those two matchups, which it doesn't seem like the Lakers are going to drop to eighth. I think LeBron would have to have some type of setback or maybe like a re-aggravation upon returning.

So I think regardless of kind of how the seating plays out, I think the two exceptions would obviously be OKC and Denver because of how great Shea and Nikola Jokic are individually. But Outside of those two matchups, which it doesn't seem like the Lakers are going to drop to eighth. I think LeBron would have to have some type of setback or maybe like a re-aggravation upon returning.

So I think regardless of kind of how the seating plays out, I think the two exceptions would obviously be OKC and Denver because of how great Shea and Nikola Jokic are individually. But Outside of those two matchups, which it doesn't seem like the Lakers are going to drop to eighth. I think LeBron would have to have some type of setback or maybe like a re-aggravation upon returning.

And even the Denver matchup, I guess they could match up something like 3-6. But that's seeming unlikely for now. Seems like Lakers will probably finish in that top five. So assuming they're in that top five, they like their matchup against Memphis or Houston or potentially Golden State. So I think for now... Of course, they want to be the two or three seed if they can secure that.

And even the Denver matchup, I guess they could match up something like 3-6. But that's seeming unlikely for now. Seems like Lakers will probably finish in that top five. So assuming they're in that top five, they like their matchup against Memphis or Houston or potentially Golden State. So I think for now... Of course, they want to be the two or three seed if they can secure that.

And even the Denver matchup, I guess they could match up something like 3-6. But that's seeming unlikely for now. Seems like Lakers will probably finish in that top five. So assuming they're in that top five, they like their matchup against Memphis or Houston or potentially Golden State. So I think for now... Of course, they want to be the two or three seed if they can secure that.

And they're still in that mix, to be clear. But with this Denver-Milwaukee back-to-back, they have the third toughest remaining schedule the rest of the way. And you look at it, two games against OKC, two games against Houston, Memphis. It's a pretty tough schedule down the stretch. Eight of their final 12 games are on the road. So realistically, I think the two seed is probably a long shot.

And they're still in that mix, to be clear. But with this Denver-Milwaukee back-to-back, they have the third toughest remaining schedule the rest of the way. And you look at it, two games against OKC, two games against Houston, Memphis. It's a pretty tough schedule down the stretch. Eight of their final 12 games are on the road. So realistically, I think the two seed is probably a long shot.

And they're still in that mix, to be clear. But with this Denver-Milwaukee back-to-back, they have the third toughest remaining schedule the rest of the way. And you look at it, two games against OKC, two games against Houston, Memphis. It's a pretty tough schedule down the stretch. Eight of their final 12 games are on the road. So realistically, I think the two seed is probably a long shot.

Even the three seed is probably the best case scenario. And I just trend more toward like being rational about this. So I think they're probably going to be in the four or five mix. And whether they have home court or not, I think that they like their odds against anybody in that kind of range.

Even the three seed is probably the best case scenario. And I just trend more toward like being rational about this. So I think they're probably going to be in the four or five mix. And whether they have home court or not, I think that they like their odds against anybody in that kind of range.

Even the three seed is probably the best case scenario. And I just trend more toward like being rational about this. So I think they're probably going to be in the four or five mix. And whether they have home court or not, I think that they like their odds against anybody in that kind of range.

Yeah, I think they just need to avoid a 4-5 matchup with Denver, and I tend to agree with you. Houston, Memphis, both of them feel pretty beatable for the Lakers. During this stretch without LeBron, I think it's safe to say Austin Reeves has really stepped up his game quite a bit.

Yeah, I think they just need to avoid a 4-5 matchup with Denver, and I tend to agree with you. Houston, Memphis, both of them feel pretty beatable for the Lakers. During this stretch without LeBron, I think it's safe to say Austin Reeves has really stepped up his game quite a bit.