67 wins earns HCA

[JimMurray]

Much has been made about the Lakers difficult remaining schedule that will make it impossible for L.A. to keep pace with Cleveland and home court in the finals. Excuse me, but......did I miss something?

@New Jersey
@Atlanta (tough matchup on the road)
@Charlotte
@Milwaukee
Houston
Clippers
@Kings (Dangerous)
Denver
@Portland (You know the Lakers circled this one)
Memphis
Utah (Statement game to kick off our playoff run)

Provided we win the next four games, as I believe we have no reason not to, that leaves us with only two remaining road games, both against relatively weak opponents. Portland normally would be a trap game, but I just can't see the Lakers going into that matchup with anything but the highest motivation to destroy Portland.

I honestly think the Lakers can run the table and close the regular season on a 15 game run. I cite Phil Jacksons history of always finishing strong, and the Lakers relatively weak remaining schedule as my best arguments.

Other than the riff raff Cleveland has remaining on their schedule, they still have to play Boston, San Antonio, on the road in Orlando, and on the road against Indiana. If they run the table against that lot than they certainly deserve their accolades; however I don't see it. There will be at least two more losses in their future.

My projected final result:

Lakers 67-15 (I'm as optimistic as the next guy, but also a realist)
Cavs 67-15

Hollingers projected final result

Cavs 66-16
Lakers 65-17

We'll see.

[CX44]

Boston is at the end of the season and may have nothing to play for. They only hoep for a Cle loss is San Antonio and Orlando. The Lakers have had trouble with Charlotte for the past couple of years. They should be fired up for that game but I would not call that any easy game.

[lakersfanatic]

I think what people are saying is compared to the near perfect Cav games at home... Most of their remaing games are at home where they tend to destroy their opponents..
Where as the Lakers do have some easy games but there are 3 teams, Charlotte, Portland, and Utah that we have trouble with for some reason.. and tend to lose.

So weighing on that, it would be hard for us to catch up with the Cavs. Also seeing that the season is nearing the end and the top teams have pretty much secured their standings... they might take out their starters to rest them for the post season..

[TylersLakers]

I think we'll be 66-16. So we have to hope that Cleveland loses a couple games. We aren't a team that can go on a long winning streak. We just haven't shown that we can. I think our highest in the past couple years is 10. 7 is our highest this year. I see us losing at Portland and probably Atlanta on Sunday. They're a tough team. I think Horford and Smith inside are going to over power us.

At Charlotte is also a trap game. They've had our number ever since they've came into the league. Hopefully we can squash that and get the win.

[Dr Aki]

Boston is at the end of the season and may have nothing to play for. They only hoep for a Cle loss is San Antonio and Orlando. The Lakers have had trouble with Charlotte for the past couple of years. They should be fired up for that game but I would not call that any easy game.

not only is boston fighting tooth and nail for 2nd seed in the east but im actually sure boston would want to win in cleveland just to show they can win in cleveland. not to mention boston probably have a vested interest in not letting the cavs equal the '86 celtics home record of 40-1

boston should definitely be fired up for that game

[magic1fan]

i don't see us running the table. we lose focus alot. plus we hardly ever play good against the bobcats,at home or on the road.

[GOBlazers]

LOL, the OP is a self proclaimed realist, but he thinks the Lakers will finish their last ten games 9-1
while the Cavs go 8-2

Remember that Cleveland is on a 12 game winning streak.

A realists would admit that the the Lakers likely won't have HCA if they meet Cleveland in the finals.

[DEEP3CL]

LOL, the OP is a self proclaimed realist, but he thinks the Lakers will finish their last ten games 9-1
while the Cavs go 8-2

Remember that Cleveland is on a 12 game winning streak.

A realists would admit that the the Lakers likely won't have HCA if they meet Cleveland in the finals.

Why are you here debating what Jim thinks would need to happen ? Everything he wrote was in theory only. Honestly the Lakers don't need the HCA against the Cavs, I'll take my chances with having our squad go in at full strength. And last time I looked we have the best road record in the league........you don't get that by accident.

I found this odd that you posted this right after the Cavs win, it tells me you were lurking on this topic for quite some time and couldn't wait to unleash your thoughts on something we really can't control anyway.

[Dr Aki]

i wake up and find that the lakers have basically conceded HCA

sigh, day ruined

[RJM]

Add to that the Hawks win propelled them further away from the Heat, who are still trying to snatch that 4th Seed out East...its a lose-lose today.

[Mamba Venom]

The end of this season is like a movie script

The Lakers are the underdog who has an injured player

The Lakers have HCA vs. everyone except the Cavs.

The answer here is Bynum

If he can get back it is worth an extra win and that is all this team needs!!!

[JimMurray]

LOL, the OP is a self proclaimed realist, but he thinks the Lakers will finish their last ten games 9-1
while the Cavs go 8-2

Remember that Cleveland is on a 12 game winning streak.

A realists would admit that the the Lakers likely won't have HCA if they meet Cleveland in the finals.

A realist would understand....that this message board is too big for you.