Basically, if the Lakers win the game against the Pelicans, they will be facing each other again in the play-in for the 7th seed. So they will be facing each other twice (if the Lakers win the last game of the season).
Pelicans will do everything to secure their spot for the second round knowing that whoever will be there for the play-in is a competitive team that can really upset anyone, taking the 6 spot might give them secure position for the 2nd round and will be able to play for the playoff series, though same with what you mentioned, if ever Lakers pull an upset they might be facing against each other in the play-in, eveyrthing still possible and positioning still important for both teams as they needed to win their last remaining game.
And with the way they are playing in their last couple of games, they are going to look to beat the Lakers in their game. And it will be good to see Zion as healthy as before and being dominant.
Break out season also for Trey Murphy, since BI is out, he step up his game and become the next offensive weapon for the team. Alvarado is also taking it up a notch, not just distributing the ball, but he also a scoring threat now specially in the 3 point area.
At the current ranking, it will be so tough for the Pelicans as they will be facing the Denver Nuggets in the first round. They need a complete line up to have a chance against the defending champion as this team is really good and now that Murray was back, they are now in full force.
They should hope that things will change after the last game tomorrow, the top 3 have games left but most likely they'll win their games so I think nothing would change.
Yeah, I also believe that the curent rankings will not change as those on the top ranks will try to keep that stats not unless there's strategy that will need to execute, though all of them should have that winning mentality to keep trying their best, we don't know what the next round would be, upset always present as we know most of the teams are really improving especilally in the west side.
For sure teams are so prepared they are fighting for 8 spot and they don't want to be on bottom since its like it gives them certain momentum booster if they can achieve that. But its not really easy for Warriors to be in that spot since Lakers is so hungry and we see that they perform so different compare on earliest part of regular season. Lebron James is putting monster performance together with his teammates so provably that Kings and Warriors cannot sleep so tight as Lakers is so capable to end this and get 8 spot on the west. I'm might go with Lakers tomorrow since they have the momentum and I believe they might perform more better as they really need to win so for them not to drop on standings.
It's not about who is hungry because all the bottom 3 are hungry for the win. We can predict based on the teams they will be playing tomorrow and it seemed like the Lakers is the one that have the toughest opponent. We can evaluate that easily based on the betting spread listed below.
Warriors -8 vs Jazz
Kings -17.5 vs Trail Blazers
Lakers +3.5 @ NO Pelicans.
See, the Lakers have a tougher opponent, and I think Warriors and Kings will win their respective games easily.
As both Jazz and Blazers have no chance to move forward while against NO they are trying to avoid the play-in, they need to win but that's also the same thing that Lakers needs we will see if how the game will be played and which team will take the win.
There is a good rivalry there and it will probably be filled by a lot of fans. 
