We’re nearing the tip of the 2023-24 NBA common season, and there’s nonetheless loads that has but to be determined. There are seeding issues that also should be determined in every convention, and primarily each sport down the stretch will imply one thing for no less than one of many collaborating groups. One of many hottest races comes within the Western Convention’s Play-In Event vary, and two west coast rivals within the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers will probably be battling for place down the stretch.
Kings Trying To Maintain Off Lakers Throughout Last Week
The Lakers and Kings now have the identical file. 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/Jo4Y7IjVDO
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 6, 2024
Getting into Tuesday’s motion across the league, the Suns had been main within the race for the coveted sixth seed. However Phoenix’s lead on the remainder of the groups chasing them was solely a single sport, as they shared a 46-32 file with the seventh place Pelicans and had been barely forward of the Kings.
And whereas the chase for the sixth spot is heating up, the groups concerned had higher hold a watch within the rearview mirror, as nicely. Because it stood on Tuesday, the Lakers had been only a half-game again of the Kings, placing them 1.5 video games again of the sixth seed, with the identical margin current between them and the Warriors within the tenth spot.
It’s all after all topic to vary every day, however one of many objectives for Sacramento heading down the stretch will probably be to carry off Los Angeles. The Kings have been forward of the Lakers within the standings for primarily the complete 12 months, however LA just lately took the lead for a brief spell attributable to Sacramento going 5-5 over their final 10 video games. Whereas each groups would after all desire to get out of the Play-In vary altogether, there’s a large distinction between being within the eighth and ninth spots, making every sport essential for every crew within the ultimate days.
Sacramento Has Powerful Remaining Schedule
Sabonis tonight:
18 PTS20 REB9 AST+19
74th double-double, essentially the most in a season since Moses Malone’s 74 in 1980-81. https://t.co/mNmF3q01qe
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 8, 2024
The Kings have a tricky path for the final week of the season. Three of their 4 remaining video games will come in opposition to groups which are above them within the standings within the Western Convention, beginning with a sport in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Tuesday. The Lakers don’t have a lot of a neater time, although, as they are going to tackle the Golden State Warriors later within the night, and can play in opposition to the Grizzlies and Pelicans to shut out the 12 months.
The Kings are 5.5-point underdogs for his or her sport in opposition to OKC, and the Lakers are favored by 3.5 in opposition to Golden State.
