It's been a long season for the Los Angeles Lakers, having dealt with numerous injuries and setbacks, but through it all they've still managed to have a slight hold on the eighth seed of the Western Conference playoff picture.
However, Wednesday night's home game against the Houston Rockets will be the game to define their entire season.
The Lakers are in a battle with the Utah Jazz, who are just a half game behind, for the last seed in the Western Conference. Should a Lakers win and a Jazz loss occur, Dwight Howard and company would have made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.
But should there be a Lakers loss and a Jazz win, the Jazz will automatically advance to the eighth seed being that they've won the tie breaker during the regular season.
Here's where things get tricky for the Lakers.
Wednesday's game will be against the seventh seeded Houston Rockets who have an opportunity to advance to the sixth seed. That's crucial for the Rockets who will surely look to avoid playing the San Antonio Spurs in the first round and may have a better chance against the third seeded Denver Nuggets.
Utah on the other hand will be taking on the fifth seeded Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have the opportunity to advance as well and replace the fourth seeded Los Angeles Clippers.
Though home court advantage is key, the Grizzlies can conceivably rest their stars should they feel it necessary being that they'll see the Clippers in the first round regardless.
Also, should they advance past the Clippers in the first round, they'll likely take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
Sorry Laker fans.
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