Just as the Los Angeles Lakers were looking like one of the biggest threats in the Western Conference, they suffered multiple major setbacks. That gave the Denver Nuggets an opportunity to snatch the third seed.
Suddenly, the Nuggets are the hottest team in the West with an 11-game winning streak. And Lakers head coach JJ Redick assumes that his squad is the one that every playoff team wants to face in the coming weeks.
“I’m sure everybody wants to play us,” Redick stated on Friday night. “Let’s get that out there, like, everybody wants to play us. Probably teams that are in a position where they can start looking forward to potential second-round matchups as well. I’ll say what I told the team yesterday, what I told you guys after the game: we have to figure out the formula and the belief for this group to be successful. And so that’s our focus for tonight, and that’s going to be our focus on Sunday.”
The Lakers have won enough (52 games) to have home-court advantage in the first round. They are looking at a first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets if the standings stay the same.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets are likely to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, who hold a 48-33 record on the year.
Before the Nuggets’ Friday night game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the head coach, David Adelman, had his own version of a seeding statement. As he overhears chants from fans encouraging them to do what they can to land a first or second-round series with the Lakers, Adelman made one thing clear: no series will be easy in the NBA Playoffs.
What Did David Adelman Say?
“I’ll be honest, there’s so much unknown. I think people need to calm down with, ‘Let’s play the Lakers.’ If Luka comes back and feels good, do you want to play Luka Doncic? Like, I think you’re messing with the game when you think that,” Adelman told reporters.
Luka Doncic is dealing with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. While he intends to make it back in time to play in the playoffs, an official target date is not set.
As for Austin Reaves, he has an oblique strain. His timetable could be around 4-to-6 weeks, potentially ending his chances of making it back for the postseason.
Right now, the Lakers look like a cakewalk on paper, as they rely on a 41-year-old LeBron to carry the team. Later? Adelman’s statement is clear: there is a healthy fear of facing Luka Doncic in the postseason, after he put together an MVP-caliber season.