The Lakers want to avoid playing the Nuggets in the same postseason series as they did the previous year.
The Los Angeles Lakers have some momentum going into the 2024 NBA Playoffs. They spent the majority of the season bouncing between the 9 and 11 range, but in the final days of the regular season, they surged into the 7-8 zone thanks to their excellent play and some assistance from teams that were ahead of them. Backup guard Gabe Vincent might be the difference maker for the Lakers when they play the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.
To go to the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers needed to win the play-in tournament. The Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans with ease, moving up to the No. 7 seed and a rematch with the Nuggets despite starting as the eighth seed in the Western Conference rankings.
The Lakers faced the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals after pulling off an unexpected run in the previous campaign. The Nuggets went on to win the NBA championship after winning 4-0 in the end. The Lakers are hopeful that things could go a little differently this time.
The return of Rui Hachimura to the starting lineup and Darvin Ham’s decision to stick with a rotation were key factors in the Lakers’ resurgence this season. Although Hachimura has the ability to be the Lakers’ X-factor in this series, Gabe Vincent is a player who might be a better match in that role.
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