The Los Angeles Lakers have the inside track to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference in the 2011 NBA playoffs. With either a win tonight in Sacramento against the Kings, or a loss by Dallas to New Orleans, the Lakers will be the No. 2 seed. If the Lakers lose and Dallas wins, the Lakers will be the No. 3 seed. However, the Lakers' thoughts on Wednesday are preoccupied as they await the results of the MRI on center Andrew Bynum, who hyper-extended his right knee Tuesday night.
If the Lakers are the No. 2 seed, they will play either New Orleans or Memphis in the first round. Both are tied for the No. 7 seed right now, with the Hornets holding the tiebreaker. The Hornets play Wednesday night in Dallas, while Memphis plays in Los Angeles against the Clippers. If the Lakers are the No. 3 seed, they will play Portland in the first round.
The Lakers, with their win Tuesday night over San Antonio, also clinched home court advantage should they meet the Celtics again in the NBA Finals. If the Lakers should happen to play the Bulls or Heat in the Finals, they would start on the road.
For more news and information on the Lakers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Silver Screen and Roll.