(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
As the NBA trade deadline approached in February, many fans of the Los Angeles Lakers felt that the season was all but over.
They believed that their team wouldn’t be able to come back from the hole they fell in and any chance of the making the playoffs was gone.
But things have changed and the Lakers are now seriously in the hunt for a spot in the postseason.
As noted by NBA on ESPN, the Lakers have achieved a 110.3 Defensive Rating over the last 20 games, which is first in the league.
Meanwhile, they have scored a 14-6 record, tied for third in the NBA.
Lakers over the past 20 games:
110.3 Defensive Rating (1st in NBA)
14-6 Record (T-3 in NBA) pic.twitter.com/FWRjJR4eK2
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 3, 2023
On Monday morning, the Lakers were the seventh seed in the Western Conference but they might not stay there for long.
In fact, if they win their final four games of the season, the Lakers could end up being the fifth seed when the playoffs begin.
There was a point when the idea of them making the playoffs, let alone the play-in games, seemed like a pipe dream but Darvin Ham’s team has come together at the most important time.
However, the Western standings are so tight right now that anything could happen in the days ahead.
The Lakers’ 40-38 record is tied with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves sit right behind them at 39-40 and the Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t far behind at 38-41.
This means that the Lakers can’t let off the gas and need to keep playing as a cohesive and driven unit.
Their latest victory over the Houston Rockets was an encouraging sign that they can do just that.
The post The Lakers Have Been Building A Strong Record Recently appeared first on The Cold Wire.