The Los Angeles Lakers have lost five straight games, and are at distinct risk of landing in the No. 3 or even No. 4 spot in the West bracket of the 2011 NBA Playoffs unless they can beat the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT). The Lakers trail the Dallas Mavericks by a half-game in the race for No. 2; if L.A. beat the Spurs and the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, the champs will claim No. 2 and home court advantage until the conference finals.
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That's a distinct if, though, considering the five losses L.A. has suffered in the past week and change. If L.A. loses both remaining games -- Wednesday's tilt in Sacramento could be the final game that city ever sees, and is sold out -- and Oklahoma City wins on Wednesday, the Lakers could find themselves opposing the Denver Nuggets in the first round and the Spurs in the second round. Denver is one of the teams that has vanquished the Lakers during this losing streak.
The Spurs lead the season series with L.A. 2-1, as the Lakers won in San Antonio last month. The Spurs could be playing for something of their own; they need at least one win to guarantee at least a chance for home court advantage in the NBA Finals against prospective opponent Chicago, and two wins to definitely guarantee it. Gregg Popovich hasn't tipped his hand as to whether he'll fight for that distinction, but it wouldn't be a surprise either way.
For Spurs coverage, check out Pounding The Rock. For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles.
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