At this stage, the scenarios are all easy to identify.
To have the best chance at avoiding a pair of road play-in games, the Lakers need to win. To give themselves some hope of a home play-in game, they need to win. And for the loftiest goal — a spot inside the top of the six spots in the West — the Lakers need to win.
A lot.
“We understand time is of the essence,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “And we’ve got to get busy in order to do what we’re trying to do.