Western Conference Standings Watch: Creating separation

After a big win over the Grizzlies, the Lakers have some breathing room in the standings, but the race for the playoffs isn’t slowing down.

With the Western Conference being a tight-knit race, this will be a series looking at the standings and games to watch as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.

While the Lakers' loss last week to the lowly Bulls stung, beating down on the Grizzlies was a great way to prepare them for the final weeks of regular-season action.

It also put some breathing room between them and the Grizzlies and the play-in race as well. Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference:

2. Rockets — 49-26
3. Nuggets — 47-28, 2 GB
4. Lakers — 45-29, 3.5 GB
5. Grizzliess — 44-30, 4.5 GB

L.A. did itself a huge favor by beating Memphis. Not only did they put themselves a full game ahead of the Grizzlies with eight games to go, but they also won the season series, giving them the tiebreaker in case both teams end up with the same record.

However, things are far from decided, and with so much congestion in the conference, anything can happen...including the Lakers still potentially making one more run at the No. 2 seed as they take on the Rockets on Monday night.

Here are the matchups that Lakers fans should keep an eye on this weekend.

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Monday

Celtics at Grizzlies — Is there a way for both teams to lose? Until ties are part of basketball, Lakers fans shouldn’t be cheering for a Celtics win, but it does help them if Boston beats Memphis.

With the Grizzlies firing their head coach, dropping their last two games and the Warriors surging, they soon may fall out of a guaranteed playoff spot and into play-in positioning.

Until then, we’ll keep an eye on Memphis, but Jimmy Butler and the Warriors are quickly closing the gap.

Tuesday

Timberwolves at Nuggets — Can Minnesota go up to Denver and upset the Nuggets? If they do, it’ll be because Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle have big games, dominating points in the paint and shooting well from deep.

However, who will be available for the Wolves in this game is still up in the air. With the team having a squabble with the Pistons on Sunday, it’s very possible Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo could be facing suspensions for their involvement in the altercation.

Denver is good, but over the last ten games, they’ve been mediocre, going 5-5. So, while they are well on their way to another 50-win season, they are beatable. If the Lakers win their Monday game and the Nuggets lose on Tuesday, Los Angeles can suddenly start eyeing that No. 3 seed.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.