Fansided

2 nightmare NBA Playoff scenarios the Lakers must avoid

By John Buhler

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a foul against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a foul against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Marc Gasol, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Marc Gasol, Anthony Davis, Alex Caruso, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

Lakers must avoid the play-in tournament at all costs

Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter what seed the Lakers end up with No. 7 through No. 10. Playing in the play-in tournament would suck for the defending champions. James has stated publicly that whoever came up with the concept should be fired. Well, if your team was not all that great during the regular season, beggars can’t be choosers and into the play-in tournament you go, good sir!

So how will the State Farm Play-In Tournament shake out? The No. 7 seed will host the No. 8 seed with the winner of that game advancing to be that conference’s No. 7 seed. The loser of this game will face the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game. Whoever wins that game would become the No. 8 seed in their respective conference. In short, it is up to two extra playoff games here.

With the way the records are coming together now, the Lakers will be a in all likelihood a top-eight seed. If they win the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game, they will face the No. 2 in the Western Conference, which would be the Phoenix Suns if the season ended today. Should they lose that initial play-in tournament game, but prevail over the No. 9 vs. No. 10 winner, they would face the Utah Jazz.

Phoenix has better hotter than the sun since the Orlando bubble. Getting a division rival in the first round would put a ton of pressure on the defending champions to get out alive. If the Lakers were to stumble initially but redeem themselves, they would in all likelihood have to play a strong Jazz team at altitude in round one. It is so much more taxing to take part in the play-in tournament.

Ultimately, the only reason to believe the Lakers can repeat as NBA champions is that their two best players are James and Anthony Davis, and that is it. If this were any other team, their chances of winning it all would be slim to none. While James has never lost a first-round series in his illustrious career, every matchup this summer will challenging, not to mention the play-in tourney.

Simply put, the Lakers need to win as many games as possible to avoid a brutal postseason draw.

Related Story. Anthony Davis speaks out about his latest injury timeline. light

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