The Lakers are not guaranteed to make the playoffs as they are hanging on the play-in zone with 35 wins and 37 losses.
However, they can potentially climb to the sixth or even fifth seed and earn a direct playoff spot over the remaining ten regular season games.
There is belief within the team that they could beat the first-seed Nuggets or third-seed Grizzlies if the Purple and Gold make the playoffs, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Via Jason Simpson of Lakers Daily:
“They believe they got a legitimate shot to take down Denver,” NBA insider Chris Haynes said. “They believe they got a legitimate shot to take down Memphis. I don’t know about Phoenix when K.D. (Kevin Durant) is healthy — I haven’t asked around on that front — but there’s no fear at all.”
