2024 Western Conference 7/8 Play-In Tournament Game: (8) L.A. Lakers @ (7) New Orleans, Tuesday, April 16 (7:30pm ET; TNT) Keep your eyes on: New Orleans’ resiliency That’s what will be required. The Lakers had their way with the Pelicans all season, winning three matchups by a total of 77 points (and suffering one 20-point setback). New Orleans has home court for this one and tradition suggests it is hard to beat a playoff team two times in a row on its floor, but L.A.’s spanking of the Pels in the regular-season finale offered little in the way of confidence-building. Even if New Orleans gets LeBron James & co. into a tight game, there is this to discourage the Pelicans: the Lakers had the best mark in the NBA, 18-6, in games decided by five points or fewer. Better not look to the referees for help, either. The Lakers outscored opponents from the foul line all season by an average of 4.6 points; they were 5.0 points better per game than the Pels, getting 24% more trips to the line. Forward Brandon Ingram made an encouraging return Sunday after missing 12 games with a bruised left knee. He’s been effective historically (23.5 ppg) against the team that traded him for Anthony Davis, but a one-game tune-up might not be enough. Sharpshooter guard CJ McCollum is hot with seven consecutive games scoring at least 25 points. But New Orleans let the sixth seed slip through its grip Sunday, is under pressure to nail down the seventh seed here and might be in trouble of missing the eighth if forced to play again Friday. Key matchup: LeBron James vs. Zion Williamson Given their physiques, this is a matchup that might be more exciting at a WrestleMania or on an NFL line of scrimmage. But it should be compelling for however many minutes they log against each other in this one. One has played 282 playoff games in 16 postseason appearances, the other is playing in the first post-82nd game of his career (Play-In doesn’t count as “playoff”). This is the big stage for two big men, so tune in while they’re both involved. James averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 11.8 assists in four games against New Orleans. Williamson wasn’t as good but still posted 20.3, 5.8 and 5.5, impressing his elder along the way. “He’s a beast,” James said. “I mean, it’s almost impossible to stop him.” The Lakers star said he is willing to do whatever it takes for this game, including trading some offense for defense. Prediction: Lakers There has been some noise about the Lakers possibly managing their Play-In logistics in a way – losing this game, then beating the winner of Warriors-Kings – as a way to avoid finishing No. 7 and facing repeat tormentor Denver in the first round. Beyond wienie, if they actually tried to duck the Nuggets, it would force L.A. to play two elimination games, fire up the Kings or Warriors and stick James and crew with a short turnaround from Friday to Sunday. That all might happen, but not by design. It’s their mastery of the Pelicans all year that will decide this one.
Pelicans just lost to them 2 nights ago. and Lakers seem to have their number this season. Also sure the Lakers will get the favor of the officating (Scott Foster is assigned)
Basically. The Pelicans should have the better squad . . . but it don't show up on the court Not against the Lakers anyway I think they underacheiving. They should not have even been in the Play In Rocket River
I really want to see Zion advance and see what he can do, but I don't see Lebron and AD losing this one with the help of the zebras.
Keep your eyes on: New Orleans’ resiliency That’s what will be required. The Lakers had their way with the Pelicans all season, winning three matchups by a total of 77 points (and suffering one 20-point setback). New Orleans has home court for this one and tradition suggests it is hard to beat a playoff team two times in a row on its floor, but L.A.’s spanking of the Pels in the regular-season finale offered little in the way of confidence-building. Even if New Orleans gets LeBron James & co. into a tight game, there is this to discourage the Pelicans: the Lakers had the best mark in the NBA, 18-6, in games decided by five points or fewer. Better not look to the referees for help, either. The Lakers outscored opponents from the foul line all season by an average of 4.6 points; they were 5.0 points better per game than the Pels, getting 24% more trips to the line. Forward Brandon Ingram made an encouraging return Sunday after missing 12 games with a bruised left knee. He’s been effective historically (23.5 ppg) against the team that traded him for Anthony Davis, but a one-game tune-up might not be enough. Sharpshooter guard CJ McCollum is hot with seven consecutive games scoring at least 25 points. But New Orleans let the sixth seed slip through its grip Sunday, is under pressure to nail down the seventh seed here and might be in trouble of missing the eighth if forced to play again Friday. Key matchup: LeBron James vs. Zion Williamson Given their physiques, this is a matchup that might be more exciting at a WrestleMania or on an NFL line of scrimmage. But it should be compelling for however many minutes they log against each other in this one. One has played 282 playoff games in 16 postseason appearances, the other is playing in the first post-82nd game of his career (Play-In doesn’t count as “playoff”). This is the big stage for two big men, so tune in while they’re both involved. James averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 11.8 assists in four games against New Orleans. Williamson wasn’t as good but still posted 20.3, 5.8 and 5.5, impressing his elder along the way. “He’s a beast,” James said. “I mean, it’s almost impossible to stop him.” The Lakers star said he is willing to do whatever it takes for this game, including trading some offense for defense. Prediction: Lakers There has been some noise about the Lakers possibly managing their Play-In logistics in a way – losing this game, then beating the winner of Warriors-Kings – as a way to avoid finishing No. 7 and facing repeat tormentor Denver in the first round. Beyond wienie, if they actually tried to duck the Nuggets, it would force L.A. to play two elimination games, fire up the Kings or Warriors and stick James and crew with a short turnaround from Friday to Sunday. That all might happen, but not by design. It’s their mastery of the Pelicans all year that will decide this one.
