The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face off against the defending champs — the Toronto Raptors on Saturday — in LA's second out of eight seeding games in the bubble. This contest holds a bit more relevance for the Lakers than what most might assume, considering how they could actually officially clinch the top spot in the West if they win on Saturday.
There are a couple of scenarios that will lead to the Lakers securing the top seed in a ruthless Western Conference, and the good news for Lakers fans is that things are looking pretty good for their team at this point.
The Los Angeles Clippers — who the Lakers defeated on Thursday's opening night to increase their advantage on the second-seeded Clippers by six and a half games — are scheduled to take the floor on Saturday as well against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Clippers are scheduled for an earlier tip off, which means that if they lose against the Pels, the Lakers will actually be able to clinch the No. 1 seed even before they face off against the Raptors.
It is also worth noting that a similar scenario is in the East, with the Milwaukee Bucks also looking to secure the top seed in their conference. At the moment, the second-placed Raptors trail them by seven games. Needless to say, a lot will be riding on the results of Saturday's matchups.
Then again, with both the Lakers and the Bucks holding such significant leads at the top, it feels like only a matter of time before both teams make it official. Then again, we've seen crazier things happen, so it's obviously best that they get the job done as soon as possible.