5 bold predictions for 2021-22 NBA Playoffs

Bold Prediction #1: Lakers make top 8

So, LeBron James making the playoffs is a bold prediction now? After the way this season went, yeah.

At the time of this writing, the Lakers aren’t even in the play-in game. The San Antonio Spurs are taking their spot as of now. There are three games for the Lakers at home and three games on the road. The Lake Show is much better in the City of Angels than anywhere else. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are returning from injury, and the Lakers can finally put the lineup together they really wanted.

That’s step one. Make the play-in game. Then, the real push begins. With everyone healthy again, the Lakers have as much talent as anyone. It does get complicated depending on who makes the play-in game, but it could be interesting if they end up playing the Los Angeles Clippers. Again, the Lakers are much better at home, and if they end up playing the Clippers in that game, it might have that “home game” feel. It’s more likely it’ll be the Pelicans in that first game. The Lakers can and should beat them, but that’s been the case a lot this season.

So, to make it into the top eight, the Lakers need to beat the Pelicans and then beat the Clippers (in what amounts to a home game) or the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers are 1-3 against the T-Wolves this season. The Lakers just have the type of players to step up when it matters. If they can fight off the Spurs, things will click. Well, they will click as much as they possibly can. The Lakers will then get destroyed by the Phoenix Suns and that will be that, but it will be fun watching them fight their way into the playoffs.