So what do the Lakers do with regards to the play-in / playoff picture?

OP a proven dumbass. Called it.

Lose to Denver

[QUOTE=FultzNationRISE;14899562]Absolutely terrible idea.

As you stated they have a losing record vs both lower play in teams. Leaving it up to one game when you have a chance to secure a berth earlier is AWFUL strategy.

Moreover, they likely have to go thru Denver at some point regardless. Id argue it’s better to play them now while the Lakers have max health (assuming AD’s injury is not serious) after a rest on wed/thur/fri/sat, rather than after playing two other grueling series first and possibly a short turnaround between series.

Anyone in Lakers leadership who even floats the idea of doing what you suggest should be fired.[/QUOTE]
Certainly, from a strictly business standpoint, doing what they didn’t wind up doing, would have been TERRIBLE, money wise in the short term.

Securing AT LEAST 4-5 games versus Denver, is gonna get huge ratings, sell lots of merch, even if it may be a better statistical chance at upsetting OKC with offensive rebounding and transition defense, versus the Denver matchup, which is almost certainly an exit after 5 games.

So Lakers ownership likely knows that this squad has no real chance to do anything anyways, and taking such a brazen risk which could backfire and yield ZERO actual playoff games, was a dumb risk. Whereas from a strictly RATINGS perspective, playing the defending champion, IN A WESTERN CONF FINALS REMATCH FROM LAST YEAT, is gonna GUARANTEE huge ratings and hype for the casuals.