So, the Lakers are currently sitting outside the playoff picture, but are coming on. There are 3 teams ahead of them they could feasibly catch. This post is a look at the schedules for those teams, and whether or not they will beat out the Lakers.
Jazz Remaining Schedule
23 games remaining
8 probable wins, 6 probable losses, 9 swing games
Prognosis: The Jazz are up 2.5 games on the Lakers, but also hold the tie-breaker outright, so it's really a 3.5 game lead. They play the toughest schedule of the 3 teams here, but it's not entirely a murderer's row, with more probably-wins than probably-losses. How they do in their swing games will determine whether they are in or out.
3/4 @Bucks - ?
3/6 @Cavs - win
3/8 @Bulls - loss
3/9 @Knicks - loss
3/11 vs Pistons - win
3/13 @Thunder - loss
3/16 vs Grizzlies - win
3/18 vs Knicks - ?
3/20 @Rockets - ?
3/22 @Spurs - loss
3/24 @Mavs - ?
3/25 vs Sixers - ?
3/27 vs Suns - win
3/29 @Blazers - ?
3/30 vs Nets - win
4/1 vs Blazers - win
4/3 vs Nuggets - ?
4/5 vs Pelicans - win
4/7 @Warriors - ?
4/9 vs Thunder - ?
4/12 vs Wolves - win
4/15 @Wolves - loss
4/17 @Grizzlies - loss
Rockets Remaining Schedule
21 games remaining, 8 probable wins, 4 probable losses, 9 swing games
Prognosis: The Rox hold a 2.5 game lead over the Lakers, and lead the season series 2-1. That final game of the season against the Lakers could wind up as a do or die, as winning it would essentially count as 2 wins by giving the Rox the tie-breaker if they win.
3/6 @Mavs - win
3/8 @Warriors - ?
3/9 @Suns - ?
3/13 vs Suns - win
3/15 vs Wolves - win
3/17 vs Warriors - ?
3/20 vs Jazz - ?
3/22 vs Cavs - win
3/24 vs Spurs - loss
3/27 vs Pacers - ?
3/29 @Grizzlies - loss
3/30 vs Clippers - ?
4/1 vs Magic - win
4/3 @Kings/Sonics - win
4/5 @Blazers - ?
4/6 @Nuggets - loss
4/9 vs Suns - win
4/12 vs Grizzlies - win
4/14 vs Kings - win
4/15 @Suns - ?
4/17 @Lakers - loss
Warriors Remaining Schedule
22 games remaining, 10 probable wins, 3 probable losses, 9 swing games
Prognosis: The W's have 16 home games and only 6 road games left - the easiest schedule of these 3 teams. It may be that their recent struggles are just a product of playing too many road games, and they're about to be compensated with an extended home stand. They have a 3.5 game lead on the Lakers, but trail the season series 1-2. They have 2 remaining game against the Lakers as well.
3/4 vs Raptors - win
3/6 vs Kings - win
3/8 vs Rockets - ?
3/9 vs Bucks - win
3/11 vs Knicks - ?
3/13 vs Pistons - win
3/15 vs Bulls - ?
3/17 @Rockets - ?
3/18 @Pelicans - ?
3/20 @Spurs - loss
3/23 vs Wizards - win
3/25 vs Lakers - ?
3/27 vs Kings - win
3/30 vs Blazers - win
4/3 vs Pelicans - win
4/5 @Suns - win
4/7 vs Jazz - ?
4/9 vs Wolves - win
4/11 vs Thunder - loss
4/12 @Lakers - ?
4/15 vs Spurs - loss
4/17 @Blazers - ?