LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) – Kobe Bryant tells Sports Illustrated Thursday that he believes that his Lakers will make the playoffs even though they are three games under .500 .

“It’s not a question of if we make the playoffs. We will,” Kobe told Sports Illustrated. “And when we get there, I have no fear of anyone — Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver, whoever. I have zero nervousness about that.”

With 27 games left, the Lakers need to win 19 games in order secure a spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

The last time the Lakers were .500 was on December 28 when they beat the Blazers 104-87.

We will make the playoffs,” he said. “And we will compete. And part of the reason I have that confidence is the Miami game. We had control of the game. That was no fluke. We were playing very, very well. We were reading the defense, making the extra pass.”

The Lakers will have to chase the Houston Rockets, who are 3-and-half games ahead, for the final spot to represent the West.