Having regained the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture, the Los Angeles Lakers still aren't out danger of missing the playoffs, but they still have the belief that anything is possible.
All-Star center Dwight Howard even believes a championship is still possible, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"If we get into the playoffs, there's no doubt in my mind and in any of our minds, that we can win a championship," he said Tuesday. "It would be stupid of me to sit here and say to you [media] guys that if we make it to the playoffs, we'll be out in the first round. I have confidence in our team."
The Lakers (40-37) are currently a game and half above the Utah, but have already lost the head-to-head tiebreaker Jazz. Having won their home game against the New Orleans Hornets last night, the Lakers will look to keep momentum for Wednesday's road game against the Portland Trail Blazers, where they are 4-17 since 2002.
Still, Howard isn't ready to give up on their playoff chances and hasn't even considered not making it.
"I really haven't even thought about it," he said. "When we're away from the game, we just keep our minds on something else so we won't just think so much about what we need to do. I think that's bad for us players. When we get in the gym, then it's time to go to work."
Howard said the Lakers remain to have a positive outlook on their situation and haven't fallen into having a negative attitude yet.
"We smile in the locker room. We're still blessed to be alive. No need to walk around with frowns on our faces," he said. "We know what we need to do as a team -- we've just got to go do it."
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