Entering the Playoffs
As the NBA’s play-in tournament progresses, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers have already secured their spots in the postseason. Remarkably, the Lakers became the first team in play-in history to overcome the odds three times and advance. Their reward? A first-round matchup against last year’s Western Conference Finals adversaries, the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic. Despite the Lakers’ late-season surge in the regular season, there’s widespread skepticism about their chances for revenge. As for the possibility of the Nuggets sweeping the Lakers once again, Jokic has weighed in on the matter.
A Streak of Dominance
Since the 2022-23 season, including playoff matchups and three meetings this season, the Nuggets have secured eight consecutive victories against the Lakers. Facing their familiar foes in the first round, many anticipate the Nuggets advancing to the semifinals. However, the question remains whether they will sweep the Lakers once more. Jokic, in an interview, made his stance clear, expressing hope that the past sweeping records would not be brought up again. He believes that last year’s sweep was already challenging and this year’s matchups are even more unpredictable.
No Clear Advantage
“I don’t think anyone has a clear advantage,” emphasized Jokic. He stressed that playoff series are inherently unpredictable, and he hopes fans won’t dwell on last season’s results. Additionally, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone added that their 3-0 record against the Lakers in the regular season this year doesn’t guarantee anything. He pointed out that the Lakers are now a different team, and each playoff series presents unique challenges.
Balanced Lineup and Confidence
It’s worth noting that Austin Rivers, a former Nuggets player, pointed out before the playoffs that the Lakers’ starting lineup has achieved balance. With each player fulfilling their role, they have become the embodiment of what fans “most want to see.” There’s even confidence that they can defeat any opponent. Although there’s optimism about the Lakers returning to the Western Conference stage, Rivers suggested that they should “avoid facing the Nuggets too early.” Now that the two teams are meeting in the first round, it will undoubtedly be a focal point of this year’s playoffs. (JILIEVO)
