3 burning questions for the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch

3. Can the Los Angeles Lakers make a legitimate playoff push?

Despite their injury woes and the Westbrook predicament, the Lakers still have a chance to make the playoffs, but it will not be easy. According to Tankathon, Los Angeles has the second hardest schedule remaining in the association this season, trailing only the Milwaukee Bucks.

With the rejuvenated New Orleans Pelicans lurking right behind them and the Portland Trail Blazers also close in the standings, the Lakers will have to finish the regular season strong to have a chance.

It was certainly evident in LA’s win over Golden State on Saturday night that as long as the Lakers have LeBron James, they can compete. James was outstanding as he scored 56 points in the huge win and made a statement in the process.

However, a 37-year-old James cannot score 56 points in every game down the stretch here, so they will need more contributions from everyone else to make a legitimate push for the postseason on top of his sheer excellence.

Getting Davis and possibly even Nunn would help the cause, giving the Lakers two rotation pieces that could make a massive difference. There are questions as to whether Westbrook can carve out a role for himself, and while it seems unlikely that he can snap his fingers and get things clicking in the final 19 games of the NBA regular season, desperate times call for desperate measures.

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of falling out of the play-in picture, and perhaps this recent win over the Warriors is just what they needed to turn a new leaf and finish things strong.

It will be fascinating to see how the Lakers can close the regular season over the next 19 games.