Lakers Schedule 2018: Upcoming Games Give LeBron James, LA Chance To Climb West Standings

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA with seven wins in their last nine games. L.A. has climbed into the playoff picture, and their upcoming schedule gives them a real chance to make even more headway in the Western Conference standings.

L.A. currently owns the No.7 seed in the West, and they are tied with the New Orleans Pelicans with a 9-7 record. The Lakers are only two games behind the No.1 seed Portland Trail Blazers, whom they’ve beaten twice in three tries. Most of the teams that Los Angeles will face in the next few weeks have a worse record than the Lakers.

Most of the talk surrounding the Lakers’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday will be about LeBron James’ return to Cleveland. It should also be one of Los Angeles’ easiest matchups of the season since the Cavs have a league-low two wins.

After traveling to Cleveland, the Lakers will play six of their next seven games at home. That includes games at Staples Center against the Utah Jazz Friday night and Orlando Magic Sunday afternoon. Utah has failed to live up to expectations with a .500 record. Orlando is a game over .500, and they blew out the Lakers at home a few days ago.

The Lakers will likely be underdogs in their one road game that’s sandwiched in between six home games. They’ll visit the Denver Nuggets, whom Los Angeles has already beaten this season. Denver has lost five of their last six games.

You can be sure that the Lakers will be favored at home against the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. The Pacers are the East’s No.3 seed, but all three of those Western Conference teams are currently out of the playoff picture.

Los Angeles’ four-game homestand comes to an end against the Spurs on Dec. 5. The Lakers will play road games against San Antonio and Memphis on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. They’ll host Miami on Dec. 10.

James has carried Los Angeles during their recent hot streak. After struggling with his jump shot in October, the four-time MVP his shooting 50 percent from three-point range in November. James is averaging 29.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game this month while shooting 53.1 percent from the field. He scored 51 points in the team’s win over the Miami Heat Sunday.

The addition of Tyson Chandler has also helped improve the Lakers’ defense. L.A. is up to 20th in defensive efficiency, giving up more than 120 points twice in their last nine games. Los Angeles surrendered over 120 points four times in their first seven games.