The Los Angeles Lakers are likely locked into the top spot in the Western Conference Playoff race but their opponent is completely up in the air. The New Orleans Pelicans have made a push as of late, Ja Morant has carried the Memphis Grizzlies all season and Portland's duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have them in the contention. IN THE VIDEO ABOVE AND BELOW, host Jimmy Crowther takes a look at who could secure that #8 seed in the West and ranks the Lakers possible opponents in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
The New Orleans Pelicans is one team in the race as of right now is the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion Williamson has led a furiously late push for the Pelicans as of late, and so has former Los Angeles Laker Lonzo Ball. Assuming the Lakers hold onto the top spot, the Pelicans could be the worst-case scenario of a team they would have to face. Their young stars like Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball combined with the veteran presences of JJ Redick, Derrick Favors and Jrue Holiday could make for one of the tougher first-round matchups the Lakers would have to face.
The Memphis Grizzlies currently hold the final spot in the playoffs and would be facing LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers. Ja Morant has had a Rookie of the Year level season and along with young stud Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies could be a tough out in the playoffs. The Los Angeles Lakers could face off against the young Memphis Grizzlies in the first round and have a tough matchup, but with their veteran presence, the Los Angeles Lakers should be able to handle the Grizzlies in the first round.
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The Portland Trail Blazers have two star guards in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, but are they a strong enough duo to scare LeBron James and Anthony Davis away in the first round? The Portland Trail Blazers traded for Trevor Ariza prior to the NBA trade deadline, but his defensive impact has not been nearly as impressive or helpful for the team as many may have thought. Ariza would be Portland's best option to guard LeBron James in a seven game playoff series, which should give Laker fans a lot of hope.
The San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings are also in the running for the eighth spot in the Western conference playoff race. The Spurs have arguably the greatest coach of all time in Gregg Popovich, which is why they might be one team the Lakers wouldn’t love to see in the first round. The Sacramento Kings don’t have a very strong team, but a lot of their young talent has started to click late in the season in De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley, but they may be the best team for the Lakers to play in the first round.
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