text: did the lakers make the playoffs? or was it the clippers?   the playoffs are not completely determined yet. the lakers and the clippers are both in the western conference. their are two conferences (eastern and western). their are 16 teams in each conference and 8 teams from each conference make the playoffs. the clippers have guaranteed themselves of a spot in the playoffs and are positioned in the 6th seed, although they can jump up to the 5th seed depending on how they and the memphis grizzlies do in their last few games. the lakers are not yet guaranteed of a spot in the playoffs (they have three games left to play), but they will most likely make it as the 7th seed in the western conference.