Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Wood has set a clear objective for his team following the All-Star break: to secure a spot in the top six of the Western Conference standings and steer clear of the play-in tournament.
“I think we’re a top-six team,” Wood confidently stated during a media session on Tuesday. He emphasized that maintaining consistency and a determined attitude post-break could propel the Lakers out of the play-in scenario.
Currently positioned at 28-26, the Lakers find themselves in ninth place in the West, facing the imminent threat of the play-in tournament designated for seeds 7 through 10.
While they maintain a two-game cushion over the 11th-seeded Utah Jazz, they are trailing the sixth-seeded Phoenix Suns by 3.5 games.
However, the Suns’ margin is slim, with mere half-game leads over the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks, both teams the Lakers would need to surpass to achieve Wood’s target.
Despite the uphill battle, the Lakers draw inspiration from recent history, where successful playoff runs emerged from play-in tournament participation.
Last season, despite starting in the play-in, the Lakers surged to the Western Conference Finals, falling short against the eventual champions, the Denver Nuggets.
Moreover, the Miami Heat’s remarkable journey from the play-in to the NBA Finals highlights the potential for postseason success despite initial setbacks.
As the Lakers gear up a post-All-Star break, they boast a recent stretch of 4 wins in their last 5 games, laying a foundation for a potential momentum surge. Their upcoming matchups against the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz offer an opportunity to extend this streak.
Upon returning from the break, the Lakers face a crucial stretch with four consecutive contests against Western Conference opponents, including a pivotal showdown against the Suns.
A continuation of their recent form could pave the way for a leap out of the play-in tournament, positioning them favorably for the postseason grind that lies ahead.
