Updated NCAA Bracket Projections  Sign Up for B/R Bracket
Challenge  L.A. Lakers Won't Make the Playoffs Unless They Hit
These Numbers  Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more stories
L.A. Lakers Won't Make the Playoffs Unless They Hit These
Numbers Harry How/Getty Images  This is weird. The Los Angeles
Lakers are 39 games into the season and we're talking about the
hoops they'll have to jump through just to make the playoffs.
L.A. is 17-22. Only four other teams in West who have worse
records.  ESPN's Numbers Never Lie published a short video with
some stats and facts addressing the obstacles the Lakers will
have to face just to play an 83rd game.  The No. 8 seeds from
the last five years had a combined winning percentage of .584,
which projects to an average of 48 wins.  That's 31 wins away
from where the Lakers are now, and there's only 43 games left in
the schedule. To get to 48 wins, L.A. would have to go 31-12 to
finish out the year.  In other words, the Lakers must become an
elite team over second ha