I guess I'm alone but I want the Lakers to make the playoffs and be humiliated by OKC or the Spurs in the first round.
No way, I want them to be out and not even have a lottery pick to show for it.
Any year the Lakers don't make the playoffs is a good year.
But. it's interesting to think whether OKC may act strategically tonight. They are currently a game behind SA for the 1-seed. If they beat Utah tonight, they put LA back in the driver's seat for the 8th seed while putting themselves closer to the 1-seed. If I'm OKC, I much prefer a match-up with Utah (or Houston if OKC gets the 2-seed) in round 1 than against LA. So maybe they take this game easy.
That said, I am sure getting the 1-seed trumps everything right now and they'll likely blow Utah out of the gym tonight. All the while the Lakers will be taking on the mighty Hornets.