Laker Nation

Photo Credit: Getty Images

There are a lot of “un’s” I can use to describe this entire article.

Unusual.
Unpredictable.
Unnecessary.

But the best adjective I can come up with is: Unexpected.

Scoreboard watching? In Laker Nation? Get out of here.

Despite our lofty expectations for this team, it has come down to a little bit of scoreboard watching. The star-studded Lakers are going to need some help if they plan to extend their season beyond 82.

CURRENT STANDINGS:

The Lakers sit 2.5 games back of the Utah Jazz for that final playoff spot. With just 21 games left on the schedule – 10 at home, and 11 on the road – now is the time for the Lakers to win the games they’re supposed to, and a few of the games they aren’t.

LAKERS – NEXT 3:

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

After a defenseless (literally) loss in Oklahoma City, the Lakers are in New Orleans tonight against the Hornets Pelicans (21-40). The Hornets are coming off a home loss to the Orlando Magic, where they blew a 17-point second half lead. New Orleans is a subpar 11-19 at home, whereas the Lakers are an equally meager 10-20 on the road.

Staples Center is the last stop for the Raptors (23-38) on their current 4-game road trip. Heading into tonight’s game in Phoenix, Toronto has dropped 5 in a row. They are just 8-22 away from the Air Canada Centre.

Chicago (34-26) swings through Los Angeles for a matinee on Sunday. Still without the services of Derrick Rose, the Bulls have managed to slide into the top 4 in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are one of the few teams in the NBA that have a better record on the road (17-12) that at home (17-14).

JAZZ – NEXT 3:

After a very winnable game tonight in Cleveland (20-40), things get tougher for the Jazz on the road.

With a back-to-back in Chicago (34-26) on Friday, then in New York (36-21) on Saturday, the Lakers may have a great opportunity to pick up a game on Utah by the end of the weekend.

ROCKETS – NEXT 3:

Houston demolished Dallas – 136-103 – in one of their best offensive performances on the season on Sunday. The embarrassed Mavs (26-33) will look to fire back tonight at home.

The Warriors (34-27) are 19-7 at home, but are only a game up on the Rockets in the standings.

While the lowly Phoenix Suns (21-39) don’t appear to be much of a threat, they have won 3 straight and will be the second game of a back-to-back for Houston. This one has trap game written all over it.