If there is one team that the Los Angeles Lakers would love to avoid playing against in the first round of the playoffs, it’s the Denver Nuggets. They are 0-7 against the defending champions ever since the Western Conference Finals last season. In the process, the Nuggets have become the Lakers’ kryptonite. Therefore, if they are to avoid the Nuggets in the first round, LeBron James and his team face a daunting task ahead.
Well, every team in the West wants to avoid Nikola Jokic and co. in the early stages of the playoffs. As Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla described, the Nuggets have established themselves as the league’s benchmark. However, the Lakers happen to have a streak that they are not proud of and want to avoid at all costs.
The best way to avoid the champions is if the men in purple and gold can somehow reach the 7th spot by the end of the play in games. A few days back it looked like a possibility when the Lakers moved up to 8th. Since then, they have lost both their games and are currently in 10th place. Two teams ahead of them are better placed due to the head-to-head records.
Hence, what can the Los Angeles Lakers do to avoid the possibility of ending their playoffs early? With two games left, there happen to be a few possibilities which can turn the seedings in their favor. The most storied franchise in the league would want to exploit those opportunities and avoid early disappointment.
The Los Angeles Lakers have to win the final two regular season games
This is a no-brainer as the Los Angeles Lakers have to win their final two games. Even if the other two teams above slip up, they have to give it their all and win both games, if they want to avoid the Denver Nuggets. To add to the difficulty, both games are on the road, although not an excuse for them to lose.
LeBron James and his Lakers have to win the final two games of the regular season (image via Lakers Daily/X)The first game is against the Memphis Grizzlies. How often does a playoff team have most of their starters injured? Add to that their team is filled with rookies and 2-way contract players. Therefore, it becomes the easier of the two tasks for LeBron James and co.
Next up are the New Orleans Pelicans, who themselves are trying to stay away from the play-in spots. Not an easy task on the road, however not difficult considering they are still without superstar Brandon Ingram and have been plagued with inconsistency. The return of Anthony Davis could make it easier for the Lakers to win this must-win matchup.
The Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors have to slip up
For the Lakers to avoid the Denver Nuggets, both the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors have to lose at least one of their final two games. Surprisingly all the teams fighting for playoff positions are playing their last 2 games on the same days. In the case of the 1st game, the Lakers play first and will be able to pile the pressure onto the other two who play later.
The Lakers would prefer if the Golden State Warriors lost one of their final 2 games (image via Open Source/X)The pressure will also be on the young team from New Orleans and the Phoenix Suns. The most surprising part of the equation is that the Pelicans play the Warriors, and the Suns play the Kings. Phoenix has the golden chance to move out of the play-in spots, whereas the Pelicans will try and avoid that and hold on to their 6th spot.
The Suns will likely get the win, considering the bad stretch of form the Kings are currently in. However, the Warriors are on a 9-1 winning streak, making the task difficult for the Pelicans, who themselves are battling inconsistent play.
To move to 8th the Lakers will need both teams to lose at least one game. Hopefully, it will be the first of their two, as both the Kings and the Warriors have easier games on the final day, and at home. Whereas the Lakers will face the Pelicans, again on the road.
Win the play in battle
With the Denver Nuggets having an easier-than-expected final two games, they are a lock-in for the No. 1 seed. Therefore, the 8th spot will not be good enough for the Lakers. They will have to win the play-in game to secure the 7th spot and avoid the team from Colorado altogether in the first round.
Most likely the Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns in the battle for the 7th spot (image via Open Source/X)The battle for the 7th spot could be with either of the teams mentioned above as all have a chance to end in that spot after the final two games run their course. Whoever, the Lakers face, it will be a do-or-die scenario. The Lakers can beat the Suns and the Pelicans, as they have done so far this season. However, the question marks pop up when talking about the Kings and the Warriors.
Domantas Sabonis has won all his battles against Anthony Davis this season. Therefore, he and his teammates have to avoid the possibility of another showdown of the bigs in California. The Warriors and Stephen Curry have come in between LeBron James and the all-time great tag for the latter part of his career. Add to that the unfavorable head-to-head records.
A Los Angeles Lakers fan’s dream scenario
There could be one dream scenario which will greatly benefit the Los Angeles Lakers. That is, if the Warriors and the Kings lose at least one game, and the Suns lose both their games. This will push the Lakers to 7th and will hand them a home advantage for the play-in game. A scenario which most Lakers fans would certainly be praying for.
Lakers fans can hope for a dream scenario for their team and avoid the Denver Nuggets in the 1st round of the playoffs (image via LAL/X)Even with all the permutations and combinations, the Lakers do have a daunting task ahead of them. Their costly losses in their previous two games have been a setback in their quest to move up the seedings. However, all hope is not lost as of now. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to avoid the Denver Nuggets in the 1st round of the playoffs.
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