The Lakers are coasting right now because Kobe got hurt and the team has the 1 seed locked up, and they're too far back to catch Cleveland. They're locked in to the spot they're in now.
And for some reason, the Lakers have gotten their asses kicked by Charlotte the last couple years. Don't ask me why. They lost to the Hawks, who are a top 4 team in the East. Then they beat the Bucks. I see no reason to worry.