Podcast: The Lakers are rounding into form

As Talen-Horton Tucker’s game-winning 3-pointer splashed through the net, Lakers fans across the globe let out a collective exhale. They had beaten the New York Knicks, despite missing basically all of their point guards.

The team’s path to the playoffs can no longer be ignored. The win, which was gritty and stressful, was important to their place in the Western Conference standings and an example of the type of performances that they’ll need from here on out to have a chance of finishing in the top-six and avoiding the play-in round.

Fortunately for the Lakers, LeBron James could return as early as Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, the role players seem to be hitting their stride and, as a team, they look as motivated as they ever have. When you consider that the play-in tournament starts in a week, that’s a good thing.

On this week’s edition of “Talk-O Tuesday,” our hosts Alex Padilla and Alex Regla recapped the team’s win over the Knicks, which was capped off by a game-winning 3-pointer from Talen Horton-Tucker.

The duo also analyzed the potential playoff and play-in matchups, and gave their predictions on what will happen at season’s end. If the playoffs started today, the Lakers would go in as the No. 7 seed and play the Golden State Warriors in a play-in game. The Warriors have beaten the No. 1 seed Utah Jazz and No. 2 seed Phoenix Suns in their last two games, and won’t be an easy out.

You can listen to the full episode below, and to make sure you never miss a show, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.

You can follow Alex Regla on Twitter at @AlexmRegla, and Alex Padilla at @alexpadilla86, and vote in his poll below: