face the Denver Nuggetsin the playoffs of NBAwas the “prize” won by Los Angeles Lakers by defeat the New Orleans Pelicans, 110 to 106, in the play-in tournamentlast Tuesday (16), guaranteeing seventh place in the Western Conference.
The Lakers have won 12 of their last 15 games, sealing their fate in a rematch with last season’s Western Conference Finals opponent that knocked the Lakers out of the playoffs. On the other hand, Denver has won eight straight overall against its rival.
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A loss last Tuesday in New Orleans would have created a “life or death” game for the Lakers against the Sacramento Kingswith the winner placing 8th and a playoff series in the first round against Oklahoma City Thunder.
Despite the risk of having to live through “drama” to make the playoffs, there were rumors in the sports media that playing against the Nuggets would mean certain elimination, so it would be better for the Lakers to play Tuesday’s game in New Orleans.
This fact caused intense irritation in Darvin Ham, coach of the Lakers, after the victory against the Pelicans. “There was a report of what?” Ham told a reporter he referenced the criticism before the match. “Asylum sources said that?”
While Ham was furious with the expectation of a supposed Lakers defeat, LeBron Jamesfranchise star, was equally effusive in the respect he showed for the Nuggets.
“He’s the defending champion,” James said. “They know what it takes. They know how to win. They have been extremely dominant at home the last few years. They have an MVP on their team. They are closer, with high level players, high IQ players and they have a great coach.”
“So, we have to play without mistakes. Make things difficult for them. They will try to make things difficult for us, obviously. But if we can play as good a game as we can, and they play as good a game as they can, it will come down to one or two possessions and we’ll see who does better.”
The Lakers big man, Anthony Davissaid that the four days leading up to Game 1 on Saturday (20), in Denver, will allow him to recover from back pain, something that would not happen if the team still had to face the Sacramento Kings.
“I think what affected me the most was moving, getting offensive rebounds and things like that,” Davis said of his 6-for-16 performance against the Pelicans.
“Just my presence on the court was difficult. But we did it. We achieved. And now I have a few days to get back to normal and prepare for Saturday. I feel like I’ll be 100% until I return on Saturday.”
Davis said he never considered anything other than trying to beat New Orleans, with the alternative reminding him of a lesson his former coach Monty Williams taught him long ago. “Mess with the game and it will mess with you,” Davis said, paraphrasing Williams.
“I think we’re growing at the right time,” Davis said. “We are playing well. The guys are very confident, feeling good. And we’re going to need that – especially against Denver,” he concluded.
Lakers are in the NBA playoffs Arte/ESPN/Getty Images