Lakers number 1 seed

[heitingas]

They have to win their remaining games and they play the spurs at staples center, they will win it and get that 1st seed throughout the playoffs, this is what i'm worried about.

I don't care about the bulls record, I just like to keep that 2nd seed infront of miami right now and deal with the magic/bulls and lakers when the time comes.

[Drucci]

And to think they had no chances of getting the sole #1 West seed two months ago... it kills me to see how they came back and how luck helped them (as it always does) in that regard too.

[Lakers are the Best]

The way the Spurs were rolling and the Lakers were playing, I didn't think it possible the Lakers would catch them. This is some of the best ball I've ever seen the Lakers play, and I've been watching since 1970 or so (glad I missed the 60's). Thanks for the assist with the Spurs.

[ACF]

The way the Spurs were rolling and the Lakers were playing, I didn't think it possible the Lakers would catch them. This is some of the best ball I've ever seen the Lakers play, and I've been watching since 1970 or so (glad I missed the 60's). Thanks for the assist with the Spurs.

You haven't caught them yet.

[Lakers are the Best]

True enough, but I now believe it's possible or even probable. The Lakers may now control their own destiny. If they end up with the same record, 1-3 would be the same. I'm not sure about 4-7.

Tiebreakers
(1) Head-to-head
(2) Division record (if the teams are in the same division)
(3) Conference record
(4) Record vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(5) Record vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(6) Net points, all games

[vinnie]

I hope I am wrong, but I think the Lakers will lose one more game the rest of the season and will end up with the league's best record. 

[P2]

I think if we have both Shaq and JO, and barring any more injuries, we will beat them no matter who owns the HCA. We're just too deep.

[greensamurai]

I think if we have both Shaq and JO, and barring any more injuries, we will beat them no matter who owns the HCA. We're just too deep.

TP.

We lost last year not because of HCA but because of the lack of size in the middle. With Shaq and JO, we will be solid down low, HCA would just be icing on the cake in my opinion.

For reference:

We got outrebounded 53-40 in the game.
Our top rebounder in the game was Paul Pierce with 10...

Lakers had a total of 23 offensive rebounds...we had 8. I know thats not our game but come on. Even if the Lakers make only half of those extra opportunities that is a difference of 20 or so points. Thats huge, considering we only lost by 4.

[manbehindtheman]

I think if we have both Shaq and JO, and barring any more injuries, we will beat them no matter who owns the HCA. We're just too deep.

TP.

We lost last year not because of HCA but because of the lack of size in the middle. With Shaq and JO, we will be solid down low, HCA would just be icing on the cake in my opinion.

For reference:

We got outrebounded 53-40 in the game.
Our top rebounder in the game was Paul Pierce with 10...

Lakers had a total of 23 offensive rebounds...we had 8. I know thats not our game but come on. Even if the Lakers make only half of those extra opportunities that is a difference of 20 or so points. Thats huge, considering we only lost by 4.

yes rebounds were big that game, but the fact is we can't just put no talent ancient men in there and think that we have plugged the hole.  it is better than nothing to have the big bodies, but the reality is that we need to do better in the center position...perkins was perfect in that role and i'm not seeing the o'neals as being a good enough replacement in their current shape.  the way Bynum is playing now, we are going to get crushed if it continues.  I feel it was a bad choice to not find a reasonably good center that is healthy, if we were going to dump Perk like that.

[BostonIrishGuy]

I'm sorry but some of you guys are homers. Have any of you actually watched the Lakers play lately? They are flat out dominating games, and Bynum is dominating down low. I absolutely would love to see the Oneals neutralize their size advantage, but I just am not confident in those two injury prone guys right now, especially Shaq. I really wish we still had Perk, I'd feel much better matching up with them. Sorry, as much as it PAINS me to say it, I'm just not seeing us beating them with no HCA and in a seven game series if they are playing the way they are right now....I hope im wrong, go C's! 

[CelticSooner]

I hope they get that top seed. That way they have to play the Thunder in the second round.