a Lakers v Warriors 1st round match-up would be...

a nightmare for the League.

This may be crazy but bear with me here. If Lakers land #4 and Warriors #5, then they meet in 1st round and League loses one of the darling money makers in the playoffs immediately. So, based on that premise, how do the last 11 games play out to avoid that scenario?

Scenario numero uno: Lakers catch Nuggs for 3 seed or even catch Rockets for 2 seed. Knowing a Western Finals bt/ Lakers and OKC would be a god send then Lakers would need to land in the 2/3 seed spot to avoid the 1-8 4-5 bracket. So my bet is Lakers overtake Nuggs and maybe even Hou. Lakes split the season series w the Nuggs but own the tiebreaker if needed b/c they have better divisional record (12-3 vs 7-7). Lakers play Rockets 2 more times and if win those 2 win the season series and climb 2 games closer.

So, if Lakers get out of 4/5 seed to avoid a possible 2nd round scenario vs OKC then they must get to 3 or 2 seed. Get ready for a Lakers run. Then, keeping in mind that we still want to avoid an early Lakers/Ws meeting then if Lakers land 3 seed then Ws must avoid 6 seed and if Lakers land 2 seed then Warriors must avoid 7 seed.

That's how my mind works and probably why I lose but that is what I am tracking next 11 games and betting accordingly. If Lakers and Ws meet in 1st round of playoffs then my theory is out the window and I look like a fool. 

A Hou loss at home tonight could get the ball rolling for the Lakers' advance up the leaderboard.  Not necessary but would go a long way in making that happen.

I like you're theory. It's always about and follow the money. I will be paying close attention to this... 

Dumb reasoning. A Lakers/Warriors 1st round will bring MASSIVE ratings. West is stacked anyways so viewers be watching regardless. This is illogical thinking imo

Thanks CCYCO we will see, could be totally off here.

a bit harsh YELA but to each their own...so in your thinking, a 1st round say 4v5 match-up of Lakers v Ws then winner faces OKC so potentially by end of 2nd round you'd have both Lakers and Warriors eliminated? I think it's safe to say that Lakers will land 2 or 3 and won't see OKC until Finals. Bets of luck.

Nuggs only have 9 games left and the remaining schedule they could easily go 5-4 or 6-3 at best imo which means Lakers at 2 back with 11 games remaining (that extra 2 games is HUGE) would only have to go 7-4 or 8-3 to lock up 3 seed and avoid Thunder, and of those remaining 11 games 8 are winnable and 2 are b2b against OKC so OKC will have some say in avoiding Lakers too, that';; be pivotol b2b games as both teams can control avoiding each other until late in the playoffs...that's where my loot is.