The NBA Western Conference playoff race is reaching a fever pitch as the regular season winds down. The LA Lakers, led by the ageless LeBron James, currently sit in the fifth seed but are just two games behind the third-seeded Golden State Warriors. Every game from here on out carries enormous weight for both franchises.
LeBron James, in his 23rd NBA season, continues to defy Father Time with averages of 25.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. The four-time champion has been vocal about his desire to make a deep playoff run, and his leadership has galvanized a young Lakers roster. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry and the Warriors have been riding a seven-game winning streak, with Curry averaging 28.3 points during that stretch.
The potential first-round matchup between the Lakers and Warriors has fans salivating at the prospect of another LeBron vs. Curry playoff series. Both teams have addressed roster weaknesses at the trade deadline, and the final seeding could come down to their head-to-head matchup on April 5th. The NBA's play-in tournament adds another layer of intrigue for teams on the bubble.
