A better seed in next week’s Western Conference playoffs will be on the line for the Los Angeles Lakers, who host the lowly Utah Jazz in both teams’ regular-season finale.

Los Angeles (52-29) will earn the No. 3 seed with a win paired with a Denver Nuggets’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs. A victory over Utah also will clinch the Lakers’ winningest season.

Regardless of whether the Lakers open as the No. 3 seed against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves or as the No. 4 seed against fifth-seeded Houston, head coach JJ Redick understands the challenge that awaits his team next week.

Luka Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer at 33.5 points per game, has not played since suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2. Austin Reaves has not played since April 2, either, due to an injured oblique.

Both stars have uncertain timetables for the playoffs, leaving 41-year-old LeBron James with a massive burden to carry. Redick is transparent about the possible postseason scenarios.

Despite the ill-timed injuries, the Lakers have a strong chance to enter the playoffs on a three-game winning streak. Los Angeles has breezed past the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns in consecutive lopsided wins.

The Lakers steamrolled Phoenix, 101-73. In doing so, they clinched home-court advantage for the first round.

James averages 21 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game while Deandre Ayton adds 12.3 points and eight boards per contest.

Meanwhile, Utah (22-59) has finally reached the finish line of a dreadful season. A loss would mark the second 60-loss season in franchise history, though not quite as despairing as last year’s 17-65 record. (Field Level Media / Reuters)