Lakers look to push for top six seed against resting Suns

by Ben Cooper

The Lakers have a must-win game against the Suns as they push to gain a top-six seed in the Western Conference.

Phoenix will be resting their four stars tonight on the second night of a back-to-back. The absence of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, and TJ Warren should make the matchup much easier for LA.

The Lakers are listing LeBron James and Anthony Davis as questionable for the game, while D’Angelo Russell is probable.

The status of James and Davis is important for this game, as the Lakers need to win this game. If they win their final two games, they will, at worst, finish as the 7th seed in the West. If the Warriors go 1-1 in their final two games against the Kings and Trail Blazers, with the LA winning their last two games, they will take the 6th seed.

Tonight’s game against the Suns will be pivotal. While Phoenix is short-handed, Darvin Ham’s group can’t take them for granted.

If James and Davis are available, they need to get them involved early. Allowing the offense to go throw them makes it hard on opponents. If teams double, it leaves the others open, like Russell and Austin Reaves. 

With the Suns’ limited number of players available tonight, they most likely don’t have enough offensive firepower to keep up.

If the Lakers take this game seriously from tip-off, they should be able to dominate and earn an important victory.

Moving up to the 6th seed would allow LA to avoid the play-in tournament and have a first-round matchup against the Kings. Sacramento has been good all season long, with Coach of the Year frontrunner Mike Brown bringing the team together. The star duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis has been great. They would be a tough matchup for the Lakers but would be more favorable than going into the play-in tournament.

The rebuilt roster at the trade deadline has helped the Lakers put themselves among the contenders in the West. Tonight’s game is crucial, and with a win, the Lakers can put themselves in position to climb up to 6th place. They will need the Warriors to lose one of their final games, but it is doable for the LakeShow.

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