With eight games in the season, the attention turns to the 2014 NBA Draft Lottery for the Los Angeles Lakers as every win and loss will affect their draft position.
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As of right now, the Lakers would have the best chance to land the sixth pick in the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft. If the Lakers lose to the division rival Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, that sixth pick or higher might become a lock for the Lakers according to Eric Pincus of the L.A. Times:
Dare I say that Wednesday night is most important game remaining on the Lakers' schedule – a loss to the Kings all but locks 6th lotto pos.
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) April 2, 2014
The chance of the Lakers landing a top three pick with the sixth best odds, in terms of percentage, is 21.5. The team’s chance of landing a pick in the top three drops considerably to 15 percent if they lose that positioning according to Pincus:
In 6th position – the Lakers have a 21.5% chance at 1-3, at 7th it's just 15%
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) April 2, 2014
Obviously, a lot can change in the final eight games of the season. The Lakers will have a tough road ahead to finish the season facing six teams that are potentially bound for the playoffs.
Following the matchup against the Kings on Wednesday, the Lakers will face the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs.
The matchup against the Jazz may also have draft lottery implications in terms of positioning.
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