Part 2/7:

With James missing from the lineup, the Lakers have fallen from second to fourth place in the Western Conference standings. Currently, they hold a narrow lead over the Houston Rockets for the coveted fourth seed, which poses the question of how critical home-court advantage is for the Lakers as they head into the playoffs.

Health Over Seeding: Key Insights

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins emphasized the importance of health over home-court advantage for the Lakers. He stated that gaining postseason experience is paramount for the team, regardless of their seeding—whether they are the second or sixth seed, their main focus should be to ensure their roster is healthy and competitive.