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Detailing potential opponents in the Lakers playoffs: Clippers assist eliminate the hardest option Who the top three in the West want to play the most

This article was compiled from: The Athletic

Written by Jovan Buha

原标题:Lakers NBA Playoffs scenarios: Ranking their potential opponents from worst to best matchup

The Clippers' defeat of the Blazers fundamentally eliminates the possibility of the Lakers rising to fifth, and objectively speaking, it can be regarded as assisting the Lakers to eliminate the most difficult option (first-round vs. Suns). If the Lakers make the playoffs, they can only end up with the No. 6 seed, No. 7 seed and No. 8 seed, and their three potential opponents have all been determined: the No. 3 seed King, No. 2 seed Grizzlies and the No. 1 seed Nuggets.

The Lakers have won 8 of the last 10 games, who do they prefer to meet in the first round?

"Personally, I don't name any team, but when I'm on the coaching staff, people think 'would I rather meet this opponent?' Lakers coach Hamm said, "You have to be vigilant, because even if you meet this opponent as you wish, you may be beaten to the ground." ”

After beating the Suns, the Lakers locker room is filled with assumptions, players discussing various situations in uncertain situations, tiebreakers (who is higher in the same standings), playoff dates, and more. If they do make the playoffs, which opponent is the best choice? Which is the worst?

After the sun, the most difficult option, has been ruled out, let's take a look at the situation of the three potential opponents -

3. Denver Nuggets

Offensive Efficiency 117.0 (3rd in the league)

Defensive efficiency 113.7 (17th in the league, tie)

Net efficiency +3.3 (6th in the league)

Regular season: 2 wins and 2 losses

The downside of facing the No. 1 Nuggets in the first round is that it means the Lakers lost their first play-off game and had to play Saturday's second play-off game. Adding two more games to their schedule would make the team more exhausted and would also weaken the Lakers' recent momentum.

The Lakers and Nuggets have met in the playoffs before, most recently in the 2020 Western Conference Finals. Last summer, former Lakers player and current Nuggets shooter Pope said he thought the Lakers might have been eliminated by the Nuggets if it weren't for Davis' whistle strike in Game 2. In that series, the strength of the two sides was closer than the 4-1 result.

Since then, the Nuggets have gotten stronger. Jokic is expected to achieve a three-game MVP streak, and apart from thick eyebrows, the Lakers have no player who can defend Jokic in the low post. Jokic and Murray's blocking has been tested multiple times and will force Hamm to adjust. The operation of the Nuggets, the projection, the movement of the players, including the rebounding are all top-notch. Gordon's role in defending James has been underestimated in recent years.

At the same time, thick eyebrows can also cause problems for Jokic, who has the ability to challenge low and pressure on his elbows and three-point line. The defensive end can also deplete Jokic.

The Nuggets are number one in the West, but they're not as scary as the Suns. Even so, they are still championship contenders, and the Lakers are still at a disadvantage when it comes to the Nuggets.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Offensive efficiency 114.9 (10th in the league)

Defensive efficiency 110.6 (3rd in the league)

Net efficiency +4.2 (3rd in the league)

Regular season meeting: Lakers 2-1

This is the most likely scenario, and the Lakers have the highest probability of becoming the No. 7 seed. The playoff game between the Lakers and the Grizzlies will be the most exciting series, and the fight between the two teams has continued for many years. The Nuggets and Grizzlies, which opponent is more favorable to the Lakers, is a bit difficult to choose.

The Grizzlies are the best defensively of the three, Morant is the league's 12-15 or so player, and Jalen Jackson Jr. is the favorite to be the defensive player of the year and can bring the threat of blocks. Bane and Dillon are strong wings that can give James and Russell a pitfall. Bain's outside line is also explosive.

On the other hand, the Grizzlies' offense is the worst of the three teams, and their three-point numbers are below the league average. That's important for the Lakers. Adams and Clark on the inside of the Grizzlies are not expected to play in the playoffs, which also leaves the Grizzlies' defense and rebounding somewhat uncertain. Jaren Jackson Jr. is prone to foul trouble.

Of course, the Grizzlies are by no means the Lakers' ideal first-round opponent because they are young, athletic, and very physically strong. They like to squirt trash talk and mess up the rhythm of the game. It takes a strong mentality to deal with them, especially in a series of four wins of seven games. Jokic's greatness, along with the Grizzlies' injury to the interior holes, still make the Nuggets a tougher opponent for the Lakers.

1. Sacramento Kings

Offensive efficiency: 118.9 (1st in the league)

Defensive efficiency: 116.1 (25th in the league)

Net efficiency: +2.8 (8th in the league)

Regular season meeting: Kings 3-1

Becoming the No. 6 seed and pitting against the No. 3 seed King is the result the Lakers dream of. The consensus within the Lakers is that while a first-round series without home-court advantage won't be easy, the Kings are definitely the opponent of choice. Of course, it's not just the Lakers, but teams in the second half of the West should want to play the Kings in the first round.

There are several reasons why the Lakers want to play the Kings. For one, the Kings are a relatively young team with no individual or team playoff experience, unlike the Nuggets or Grizzlies that have worked together for years. While both Sabonis and Fox have the potential to make the All-NBA team, their combination will hardly stir up fears in their opponents.

Second, the Kings' sixth-to-last defense will make the Lakers salivate. Thick eyebrows and James can feast on the inside, James played in 3 of the 4 meetings in the regular season, he averaged 33.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 9 assists per game, and the Kings had a hard time limiting the core of the Lakers. Defensively, the Lakers can let the thick eyebrows defend Sabonis, Vanderbilt wrap Fox.

For the Lakers, what needs to watch out for is the Kings' offensive efficiency, which they have already set all-time records. In addition, Kings coach Brown is familiar with James. But overall, the king is still the easiest choice of the three rivals.

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