Damian Lillard, LeBron James Lakers Blazers
Photo: Steve Dykes/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers are fighting to avoid the seventh place and the play-in tournament.

Both teams have identical records (41-30) and will face the New Orleans Pelicans and the Denver Nuggets, respectively, in their final regular season game.

The Lakers need to defeat the Pelicans and, at the same time, a loss by the Blazers. If that happens, they will climb to sixth and will directly qualify for the playoffs.

In any other scenario, Portland will remain sixth, whereas the Lakers will face the Warriors in the play-in tournament.