Over last few years, the hype surrounding the 2014 NBA Draft has continued to sky rocket, especially after Andrew Wiggins recl..."/> Over last few years, the hype surrounding the 2014 NBA Draft has continued to sky rocket, especially after Andrew Wiggins recl..."/>

NBA Tanking: Los Angeles Lakers take down Utah Jazz

By Andrew Melnick | Apr 15, 2014

Apr 14, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill (27) defends against Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Over last few years, the hype surrounding the 2014 NBA Draft has continued to sky rocket, especially after Andrew Wiggins reclassified and entered school in 2013.

Wiggins, the Kansas Jayhawks’ forward, his teammate, center Joel Embiid, Australian point guard Dante Exum and Oklahoma State Cowboys’ guard Marcus Smart headline a group that has already declared for the daft and most expect Kentucky Wildcats power forward Julius Randle and Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker (although he has applied for housing next year) to do the same any day now.

In the biggest game of the night tanking-wise, the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Utah Jazz 119-104. The win puts the Lakers a game behind the Boston Celtics, who were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers 113-108, for the fifth worst record in the league. The Lakers now can’t catch the Orlando Magic or the Jazz for the third or fourth worst record. In fact, only the Jazz can now tie the Magic, who were defeated by the Chicago Bulls 108-95.

The Milwaukee Bucks needed a loss or a win by the 76ers to clinch the best odds for the #1 pick and they got both. The 76ers defeated the Celtics and the Bucks fell to the Toronto Raptors 110-100.

Here are the remaining schedules for each team in contention for the third-worst through sixth-worst record.

Wednesday: vs. Washington Wizards

Wednesday: at Minnesota Timberwolves

Wednesday: at San Antonio Spurs

Wednesday: vs. Indiana Pacers

Here is a look at the reverse standings:

14. Phoenix Suns 47-34
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 40-41
12. Denver Nuggets 36-44*
11. New York Knicks 35-45#
10. New Orleans Pelicans 33-48^
9. Cleveland Cavaliers 32-49
8. Detroit Pistons 29-52
7.Sacramento Kings 28-53
5. Los Angeles Lakers 26-55
5. Boston Celtics 25-56
4. Utah Jazz 24-57
3. Orlando Magic 23-58
2. Philadelphia 76ers 18-63
1. Milwaukee Bucks 15-66

*to Orlando Magic
#to Denver Nuggets
^to Philadelphia 76ers

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