The Los Angeles Lakers have been in the Western Conference’s bottom half for most of the season. However, the Lakers are starting to find their rhythm and winning games since the trade window. At one point the Lakers looked to secure a play-in spot, fortunately, they are currently in a playoff spot. The Lakers have somehow climbed back up and are holding the 8th seed in the West.
The Lakers are right at the .500 mark and sitting ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans who are .500 themselves. LeBron James and company are just 1 win behind the 7th-placed Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite all the progress since the trade, the fans have taken note of a shocking stat that heavily favors the Lakers.
Woah pic.twitter.com/LnFq2Bgx6a
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) March 30, 2023
This season the Lakers have been awarded the highest number of free throw attempts. The Lakers have several calls given against them. One such incident was when LeBron James was left furious after a no-call against the Boston Celtics. However, fans are starting to wonder, if the NBA is trying to help the Lakers make it to the playoffs, by seeing the above FT attempt differential. “Refs tryna help them and it still ain’t workin,” one fan commented.
Refs tryna help them and it still ain’t workin 😂
— DoZay (@DoZay1) March 30, 2023
Adam sliver is helping the lakers and there struggling
— kawhi fan (@KawhiNewEra) March 30, 2023
🤫 #NBA pic.twitter.com/rkcbWxon5V
— IB THE GAMBLER 🔌 (@incarceratedbob) March 30, 2023
OMG the @NBA is helping us crazy LOL I love it pic.twitter.com/QU2YssHCqG
— HollowFrobe (@the_only6) March 30, 2023
Look at these stats, the NBA has explaining to do https://t.co/o9bMtE88ID
— Depressed Bulls fan 😔 (@BigTempy) March 30, 2023
Paying the refs
— SpottedJay | 🔜 DreamCon (@JayFirstAccount) March 30, 2023
Refs are trying their absolute hardest to get the lakers into the playoffs and they ain’t even hiding it
— Josh H (@krazyboyz100) March 30, 2023
The number of free throws the Lakers are awarded is simply quite a lot, primarily due to their lack of shooting from beyond the arc. The Lakers have been poor this season in getting buckets from beyond the arc and are 26th in 3P%. This leaves them the only option to score from within the arc, and in doing so they’ve received numerous free throw attempts. Nonetheless, NBA fans think that this is not the case entirely, and believe the league is helping the Lakers.
Will the Los Angeles Lakers make the playoffs this season?
With just 6 games in the regular season, all of them will be crucial for them. The Lakers started their 5-game road trip by defeating the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers took their revenge on the Bulls after losing at home against them in the previous matchup. Despite the win against the Bulls the Lakers will be traveling to Minnesota, who have their star man Karl-Anthony Towns back from injury.
The Lakers performed admirably against the Bulls and won their first game on the road, 121-110. It is going to be a competitive game against the Timberwolves, as they sit at the 7th seed. With both teams desperate to lock in their playoff spot, it will be a cagey match. The Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Utah Jazz who will be looking to gun down the Lakers.
