NBA playoff picture: Lakers catch Jazz, but lack tiebreaker

If the NBA Playoffs started today ... the Los Angeles Lakers still wouldn't be in them. But they're getting closer.

After the Utah Jazz lost to the New York Knicks on Saturday, the Lakers and Jazz are now tied with identical 32-31 records for eighth place in the Western Conference. The Jazz would still be in the playoffs if their records stay tied until the season ends, though, because the Jazz have won two of three games against the Lakers head-to-head, giving them the tiebreaker.

The Jazz are idle on Sunday while the Lakers host the Chicago Bulls at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Utah plays 11 of its final 19 games at home this season. The Jazz face 10 teams in that stretch with .500 or better records. The Lakers play nine of their final 19 at home and also face 10 teams that are currently better than .500.

Western Standings

	GP	W-L	PCT
San Antonio Spurs	63	48-15	.762
Oklahoma City Thunder	62	46-16	.742
Memphis Grizzlies	61	42-19	.689
Los Angeles Clippers	64	44-20	.688
Denver Nuggets	64	42-22	.656
Golden State Warriors	64	35-29	.547
Houston Rockets	64	34-30	.531
Utah Jazz	63	32-31	.508
Los Angeles Lakers	63	32-31	.508
Portland Trail Blazers	61	29-32	.475
Dallas Mavericks	61	28-33	.459
Minnesota Timberwolves	59	21-38	.356
Phoenix Suns	63	22-41	.349
Sacramento Kings	64	22-42	.344
New Orleans Hornets	63	21-42	.333