The Los Angeles Lakers’ repeat title bid will begin with LeBron James going through a well-recognized foe within the Golden State Warriors in the course of the play-in match, led by James’ decide for MVP, Stephen Curry.
“I imply, simply have a look at what he’s completed this 12 months,” James stated after L.A.’s 110-98 win on the New Orleans Pelicans, coupled with a Denver Nuggets loss on Sunday, locked the Lakers into the No. 7 spot. “I don’t know anything if you happen to’re searching for an MVP. If Steph is just not on Golden State’s crew, what are we ?
“We get caught up within the information typically. We get caught up within the, OK, who has the very best report, as a substitute of simply saying who had the very best season that 12 months. And Steph has had, for my part, the very best season all 12 months.”
And now the destiny of the Lakers’ postseason seeding will come right down to Curry, the league’s main scorer, and the No. 8 Warriors coming to Staples Heart on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN), with a first-round berth towards the No. 2 Phoenix Suns on the road.
The loser will go on to face the winner of the No. 9 Memphis Grizzlies and No. 10 San Antonio Spurs’ play-in recreation, with the winner of that contest incomes the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with the No. 1 Utah Jazz.
Whereas L.A. completed the common season on a five-game successful streak — with James averaging 24.5 factors on 50% taking pictures, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.5 steals in his previous two video games, after lacking 26 of the Lakers’ earlier 28 video games with a excessive proper ankle sprain — James’ groups had by no means entered the playoffs seeded decrease than No. 4 in his earlier 14 appearances.
“I don’t have a look at our seeding. It doesn’t matter. Clearly, we all know we wished to play lots higher this season, however the accidents took a toll on our crew,” James stated, alluding to his ankle woes and Anthony Davis’ nine-week absence due to a calf pressure and Achilles tendinosis in his proper leg. “However I sit up for the problem. It’s one other problem for me within the postseason. I’m wanting ahead to it.”
If L.A. is to repeat as champions — incomes James his fifth ring and the franchise its 18th to move the Boston Celtics for probably the most all time — it must pull off one thing unprecedented. The 1995 Houston Rockets had been the lowest-seeded crew in league historical past to win all of it, coming into the postseason within the No. 6 spot.
“Will probably be the toughest problem any crew has ever had in NBA historical past,” Lakers reserve Jared Dudley stated when requested concerning the path forward. “We’re up for it. We’re the defending champs. They’ve obtained to fret about us. We’re getting wholesome on the proper time, and nobody desires to see a wholesome Laker crew.”
Dudley, when requested, questioned the technique of the LA Clippers, who might have confronted the Lakers in a first-round sequence if the Clippers completed No. 3 and the Lakers ended up No. 6; however the Clippers averted that state of affairs by resting their stars and dropping their closing two video games to cellar dwellers in Houston and Oklahoma Metropolis to finish up because the No. 4 seed.
“If I used to be one other crew, I’d wish to play us early,” Dudley stated. “I’d wish to play when LeBron James is coming off of an ankle harm. We’re looking for our chemistry. You suppose that we’re going to be higher later or higher now? I imply, the extra chemistry and the extra video games, the stronger we get.”
Certainly, the Lakers appeared mighty ripe for a possible early playoff exit when James stepped on the foot of the Pelicans’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker within the fourth quarter on Sunday and tweaked his ankle.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel stated James would have “no points” from the tweak. “I’ll be superb,” James added.
Davis, who sat out a recreation earlier within the week with tightness in his groin and was a game-time determination on Sunday due to shoulder discomfort, additionally sounded optimistic about his well being and that of the crew.
“We really feel good,” Davis stated. “We really feel assured about our crew.”
That wasn’t the case simply 14 days in the past, when L.A. was overwhelmed by an undermanned Toronto Raptors crew to lose for the sixth time in seven video games.
“Coach informed us after that recreation, he stated, ‘Keep collectively. Simply think about the place we’ll be in two weeks,’” Davis stated. “And it’s been two weeks to the day. So, we’re a a lot better crew. We’re a a lot more healthy crew, which is most essential. We’re discovering our rhythm on each ends of the ground.”
Vogel stated he by no means felt like issues had been “unraveling,” even with the late-season swoon.
“The message was: ‘Stay collectively; let’s not anyone overreact,’” Vogel stated. “Nobody’s joyful that we’ve misplaced these video games, however we’re going to be OK if we keep the course, preserve grinding, preserve having a progress mindset every day.”
In a couple of days, the Lakers will get their first check in a postseason that may require 17 wins to achieve the Larry O’Brien Trophy — another than any earlier champion has ever needed to earn.
“We gained’t name this [season] profitable till we elevate a banner, however we’re in place to do one thing particular it doesn’t matter what seed we’re in,” Davis stated. “It’s solely profitable if we’re going to win all of it.”
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