According to the “NBA Odds Machine” created by The Ringer, the Los Angeles Lakers have a worst chance of making the playoffs than the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Ringer claims its Odds Machine is based on “team strength as measured by point differential – a historically strong predictor of future success” and includes postseason odds as one of its four main features. They will update the Odds Machine every day until a champion is crowned, adjusting for injuries, schedules and any other changes, but as of Saturday, March 19, Lakers only have a 14% chance of reaching the playoffs.
With 11 games left to play, Lakers (30-41) are currently the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, a hair above the Pelicans (29-41) at the 10th spot. The Ringer predicts those positions will flip by the end of the regular season to leave the Purple & Gold as the No. 10 seed in the play-in tournament.
What is the NBA play-in tournament?
Prior to the playoffs starting, each conference will feature three play-in games to decide the the last four teams in the postseason. The top six seeds in each conference will automatically advance to the playoffs, but teams 7, 8, 9, and 10 will compete in the play-in tournament.
The Ringer gives New Orleans a 21% chance of making it past the play-in round and into the postseason, a seven-point gap from the Lakers’ 14%. That means The Ringer believes if the Lake Show reaches the play-in, they would get eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Los Angeles Clippers, as currently seeded.
Despite the lack of faith in the Lakers when it comes to reaching the postseason, The Ringer does give LeBron James and company an 82% chance of making it to the play-in tournament even though the San Antonio Spurs (27-44) are only three games below Los Angeles. Spurs only have a 28% chance of entering the play-in round.
Marca
