LeBron James Leads the Lakers Past the Pelicans to Secure Playoffs Spot

There’s no denying it. #PlayoffMode is a thing.

The #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel begin this Saturday on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. pic.twitter.com/faiQN0nwVx

— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2024

With the Golden State Warriors getting knocked out, it’s great NBA news that the Lakers are in the playoffs. The Pelicans almost pulled off the upset after closing an 18-point Laker lead. Zion Williamson went off but got hurt and couldn’t finish the game, which NBA rumors have said is a hamstring injury. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both had lackluster games but the Lakers were still able to win.

What. A. Game. pic.twitter.com/Nc66jcPPFD

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 17, 2024

While the Lakers should be happy to be in the playoffs, they now have a very tough test in front of them.

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Nuggets Have Owned the Lakers

Last season, the Lakers got swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. Los Angeles then lost every game they played against Denver this season. Nikola Jokic is the likely NBA MVP and he owns the Lakers.

There were some who were suggesting that the Lakers should tank against the Pelicans so that they could avoid Denver in round one but Los Angeles didn’t take the bait. And they shouldn’t have. The Lakers will never be fresher during the playoff run than they are now.

Mark your calendars for playoff hoops pic.twitter.com/heqrXhhNey

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 17, 2024

There’s no benefit to going on a deep playoff run just to lose to the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals again. This is likely the best chance the Lakers have to beat them. Now, the Nuggets will be the overwhelming favorite.

They won the championship last year and have followed that up with another very strong season. Jokic and Jamal Murray are a great tandem and the team has good depth. That said, the Lakers can’t be totally counted out.

Here’s a look at some NBA Lines and NBA Game Odds to consider!

Batman and Robin

Anthony Davis and LeBron James are arguably the NBA’s best duo and they didn’t play well against the Pelicans. Despite that, the Lakers still won. If Los Angeles’ role players can play well while LeBron and Davis play up to their normal level, the Lakers are a very hard team to beat. Plus, the Nuggets have talked a lot of trash and the Lakers are very motivated to beat them. At the very least, it should be a competitive series.

Lou Will thinks the Nuggets would rather play the Pelicans instead of LeBron in the first round

“What team would want to play against the best basketball player in the world, no matter what phase of [LeBron James’] career that he’s in, you don’t want to match up with the best… pic.twitter.com/6l8h0YNvXd

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 16, 2024