Lakers’ Victory and Playoff Placement
The Lakers defeated the Pelicans 110-106 today, winning their first play-in game and officially securing the 7th seed in the playoffs. They will face the defending champions, the Nuggets, in the first round. However, since their postseason encounter last year, where the Lakers were dominated, there has been speculation about whether facing the 8th seed would be preferable. Nevertheless, head coach Ham dismissed such notions.
Nuggets as a Formidable Opponent
For the Lakers, the Nuggets represent a daunting challenge. Last year, the Nuggets swept the Lakers 4-0 in the Western Conference Finals. In the regular season matchups, the Nuggets also prevailed 4-0. Undoubtedly, the Nuggets are the last team the Lakers want to face in the first round. Given the familiarity with their opponent, the Lakers are not favored to advance past this stage.
Comparison with Thunder Matchup
In contrast, the Lakers’ record against the Western Conference leaders, the Thunder, is much more favorable. Despite the Thunder’s top-five efficiency in both offense and defense this season, their playoff experience is limited. Moreover, the Lakers have won three out of four matchups this season, making them a more favorable first-round opponent. There are even calls for the Lakers to “abandon the 7th seed to secure the 8th,” suggesting they should prioritize facing the Thunder over the Nuggets.
Coach’s Disagreement with the Strategy
However, Lakers head coach Ham disagrees with this strategy. In an interview, he stated, “Anyone who thinks the Lakers should avoid the Nuggets is crazy.” This sentiment stems from the Lakers’ struggles against lower-seeded teams this season, particularly against the Kings and the Warriors, where they only managed one win out of eight games. Additionally, Ham praised the Pelicans for putting up a tough fight today, stating, “The Pelicans gave us a tough challenge, and we fought back.”
Implications of Lakers’ Victory
With the Lakers’ victory over the Pelicans, they will have two extra days of rest compared to if they had secured the 8th seed. This will give them more time to prepare for their matchup against the well-rested Nuggets in Denver over the weekend. (JILICC)