LOS ANGELES — As competitive as the LeBron James-less Lakers looked in Wednesday’s 126-121 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the defeat only raised the stakes for their next game on the schedule, on the road Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
L.A. is currently No. 9 in the Western Conference standings with nine games left to play, and the Pelicans are hot on their tail, just a half-game behind at No. 10.
Sunday’s game could fortify the Lakers’ lead, helping their path toward hosting the Pelicans in the 9-10 play-in game. Or, it could make the Lakers the team that’s playing from behind, desperately trying to cling onto the final play-in spot just to be rewarded with going on the road to play it.
“It’s going to be a playoff-type of atmosphere for us because it’s definitely a must-win, I believe, for our group,” said Russell Westbrook, who had 24 points, nine rebounds, eight…
