NBA insider expounds LA Lakers' playoff hopes - "Every game matters for the Lakers"

NBA Insider Shams Charania gave the latest on LeBron James’ return for the LA Lakers.

The Lakers are currently ninth in the Western Conference with a 37-38 record. However, they have multiple teams that can overtake them. The New Orleans Pelicans (38-38, eighth in WC) and Minnesota Timberwolves (39-37, seventh) are still within LA's reach, while the Dallas Mavericks (37-39, 11th) and OKC Thunder (37-39, 10th) find themselves breathing down the Lakers’ neck.

With every game important, the team missed D’Angelo Russell in the last game against the Chicago Bulls. This makes tonight's return fixture even more important for the LA Lakers. Charania had a similar view on the situation, claiming that it is the Lakers that have got more to lose:

“I think when you look at this game though, the Bulls have a two-and-a-half game lead in the play-in tournament race. They are pretty secure, the Wizards, the team that is directly over them, they have a two-and-a-half game lead over them.”

Speaking about the Lakers' playoff hopes, Charania said:

“When you look at the Lakers, every game matters, and they have got more at stake tonight, and really for the next several games. The Bulls are half a game out in the playoff tournament race. Every game matters for the Lakers.”

LA Lakers to return to winning ways against the Chicago Bulls?

LeBron James returned to the lineup in the last game but was far from his best. He converted six of his 11 attempts and finished with 19 points and eight rebounds. The LA Lakers would have preferred to rest him considering his injury troubles, but their playoff hopes require all the stars to be on the court.

Anthony Davis did not look at his dominant best on either end of the court and D’Angelo Russell was missed in the first fixture. Recent games have provided plenty of optimism, with the Lakers winning three out of their past five games.

The two losses came against the Chicago Bulls (36-39, 10th in the East) and the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are their direct rivals in the play-in race. If James plays tonight, the LA Lakers could have all of their stars available for the first time in a long time. Charania said:

“LeBron James is questionable tonight. We will see if he plays. I assume as long as his foot is feeling fine, we will see what happens. The big news for the Lakers is tonight, after missing a game D’Angelo Russell will be back tonight, he has been listed as probable.”