The opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs will feature an intriguing Western Conference battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. NBA veteran Lou Williams, who has been an analyst for the league for 17 years, favored the Pelicans but also noted that LeBron James would always be a difficult opponent, no matter where in his career he was.
Denver has a recent history of dominating the Los Angeles Lakers, as seen by their four-game sweep of the team in the Western Conference Finals last year. Lou Williams stated on Run It Back’s latest episode: “This is going to be a tough one for the Lakers.”
Williams’s previous claim is valid: playing a LeBron James-led team in the playoffs is not a good idea. However, for two main reasons- positional advantages and the Lakers’ patchy secondary support, Denver is in a unique position that makes them want to play in LA.
Los Angeles Lakers’ problems cannot exclusively be ascribed to a lack of skill; while Denver has a more talented starting lineup than LA, the Lakers are not less talented than Denver.
Also Read: LeBron James to Make 17th Playoff Appearance After Lakers Secured a Win Over the Pelicans
Los Angeles Lakers Need to Hold Their Composure When They Face the Nuggets
It’s common knowledge that the Nuggets have dominated the Lakers in recent seasons. Even though every game has been fiercely contested, the Nuggets have always come out on top.
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Murray is a dangerous opponent for any defender in the league, and he frequently looks to match up with Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell. In the Conference Finals the year before, Murray almost outperformed both players on his own. If they play again, Coach Darvin Ham could use a different defense to match Murray’s skill.
Porter Jr. is another matchup nightmare at 6-foot-10 and well-known for his offensive ability because of his stature and shooting ability. Los Angeles Lakers can’t successfully counter him with smaller defenders like Reaves or Russell, which presents a difficulty. This weakness frequently shows up in rebounding and perimeter defensive situations.
Furthermore, even if James and Anthony give it their all, their influence might be negated if the supporting group is subpar, as in previous games versus Denver. The Los Angeles Lakers’s bench impact has been noticeably absent recently.
Also Read: Have the Los Angeles Lakers Qualified for the Playoffs After Beating the Pelicans?
