On Sunday, the 2023-24 common season wrapped up. Playoff matchups are usually not absolutely set in each conferences simply but. The play-in event nonetheless must occur this week. What groups will overcome the state of affairs they’re in and earn one of many remaining two playoff spots of their respective conferences?
Within the Western Convention, the #7 seed New Orleans Pelicans will probably be internet hosting the #8 seed Los Angeles Lakers. It is a matchup we simply noticed on Sunday when the Lakers had been on the highway to face New Orleans. Los Angeles received 124-108 however their massive man Anthony Davis was coping with some lingering again points. Regardless of not enjoying the whole recreation, Davis claims that he will probably be obtainable for the play-in recreation tonight on TNT at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Barring a setback, count on Anthony Davis to play for the Lakers within the play-in event recreation
“Anthony Davis is probably the most overrated famous person within the historical past of the NBA. Can’t depend on him…He’s all the time injured; he’s gentle, doesn’t play by means of ache, and you can not depend on him to be there when you have to win a recreation.”😳
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 15, 2024
For the final two seasons, the historic Lakers franchise has needed to struggle their approach into the postseason. The highest six seeds in every convention get an automated playoff berth. Los Angeles has failed to do this within the 2023 and 2024 playoffs. Final season, the Lakers made the playoffs because the seventh seed and made a run to the NBA Finals. Nonetheless, they misplaced in 4 video games to the Denver Nuggets who went on to win the NBA Finals. In 2023-24, the Lakers tried to get one of many one of many prime six seeds.
That was not the case for the Lakers who had lingering accidents on the group all season. Regardless of his harm historical past prior to now, Anthony Davis stayed comparatively wholesome for the Lakers this season. He performed in 73 of their 82 video games. Of their remaining recreation of the common season, Davis informed reporters afterward that his again locked up on him. Davis stated that he would have performed if it had been a must-win recreation for the Lakers. Los Angeles faces a must-win tonight if they need the seventh seed within the West. The winner of tonight’s play-in event is ready for a first-round matchup with the defending champs.
Playoff spot at stake on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/6SXgufqjbU
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 14, 2024
Together with the 2023 Western Convention Finals, the Lakers have misplaced their final seven video games to the Nuggets. The Lakers had been swept within the WCF final season they usually misplaced all three regular-season matchups in 2023-24. Would Los Angeles be higher off shedding tonight and enjoying the winner of the #9 vs. #10 recreation? The loser of the #7 vs. #8 recreation will play the winner of the #9 vs. #10 for the eighth seed. That group would then have a matchup with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. One of many hottest groups within the league this season. Nonetheless, they lack playoff expertise which may very well be their largest flaw within the postseason. We’ll have to attend and see how the play-in event shakes out for the ultimate two seeds within the 2024 playoffs.