Finally, the stakes are perfectly clear. Sunday, in their last game of the season, the Lakers can win their way out of the back half of the NBA's play-in tournament, a spot where they could face a horror-movie fate — Stephen Curry in a win-or-go-home game. A win Sunday in New Orleans against the Pelicans, who helped the Lakers by beating those Golden State Warriors on Friday, would guarantee the No. 8 seed in the West and the two chances to win their way into the playoffs that come with it.... Read this story
