Last year, the Dallas Mavericks were 28-23 at the trade deadline. With some small marginal improvements, they went on a historic run, finishing up the season with 50 wins and 32 losses. Every year, there is a team in the NBA stuck in mediocrity around the deadline and then goes on a great playoff run. This year, two teams in the Western Conference can replicate Mavs’ success from last year; the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers can make some noise in the playoffs.
Warriors and Lakers Poised for a Mavericks-Like Playoffs Run
Unlike the Mavericks, the Warriors and the Lakers this year made big changes at the deadline. The Warriors got Jimmy Butler and the Lakers got Luka Doncic. At the time of the deal, many people believed Luka’s trade was a move for the future. Truth be told, when the Lakers lost to the Jazz and the Hornets after the All-Star break, fans around the league mocked Luka’s conditioning. Since then, they are on a seven-game winning streak, and Luka is delivering some great games.
Last night, in the win against the Pelicans, he became only the fourth Lakers player with 30 points and 15 assists in a single game. The other three are LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Jerry West. So, which team has a higher chance of making some noise in the playoffs? Let’s take a quick look.
Is Lakers Success Sustainable?
Despite having two of the best offensive players in the league, the Lakers are beating teams thanks to their defense. Since January 15th, the Lakers have the best defense in the league. You might wonder how a team without Anthony Davis has the best defense, but head coach JJ Redick has devised schemes that play to the strengths of the team.
They are missing Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves right now. The good news for the Lakers is they have two of the best playoff performers in the history of the league not just right now. Luka and LeBron can single-handedly win a couple of games.
Their strategy of allowing teams to shoot a bunch of threes seems risky, but right now, it pays off. The Milwaukee Bucks used the same strategy en route to a championship run. As of March 5th, the Lakers have won 17 of their last 20 games and are 7-2 with Luka in the lineup. They have the type of players that Luka and LeBron thrive with: gritty defenders who can shoot open looks. Once Jarred Vanderbilt returned to the lineup, the Lakers went on a run. Add in Dorian Finney-Smith, and the Lakers have quality perimeter defenders.
How Much Difference Does Jimmy Butler Make?
The Warriors got Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, and everything changed. They are 9-1 with Butler in the lineup, and it is clear they look more confident. Golden State went from the No.10 seed to the No.6 seed in the West. Of course, things can change, but with 20 games left, they might not go much higher in the standings.
Besides adding Jimmy, the Warriors have given more playing time to rookie Quinten Post, a stretch big who perfectly complements Steph Curry. The good news for the Warriors is they have one of the easiest schedules until the end of the season. During this stretch, they beat the Knicks, the Rockets, and the Kings. With Curry playing at an MVP-type level, and Jimmy doing everything to help the team win, the Warriors have a chance.
How Much Seeding Will Affect Lakers and Warriors Playoff Chances?
The elephant in the room is the Denver Nuggets. Both the Warriors and the Lakers would love to avoid Denver in the playoffs for as long as possible. The Warriors, for example, are on an eight-game losing streak to the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is a nightmare matchup for the Warriors because they lack bigs that can defend the three-time MVP.
The Lakers, on the other hand, had a quality win against Denver recently. But they have been dismantled by the Nuggets in the playoffs two seasons in a row. The Nuggets were on a five-game winning streak against the Lakers before that recent loss.
Right now, the Warriors and the Nuggets are scheduled to play in the first round. The Lakers and Nuggets might meet in the second round. Both the Lakers and the Warriors will be happier if Memphis can grab the third spot, or seeding change any other way.
Photo credit: © Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
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