Sunday afternoon saw two absolute blowouts, setting the stage for exciting rematches later in the week. The Los Angeles Lakers channeled their In-Season Tournament form, delivering one of their best performances this season by trouncing the Pelicans 123-108. LeBron James led the charge with a stunning 28-point, 17-assist, 11-rebound triple-double. The Lakers' victory sets up a thrilling rematch in just two days: the 8th seed Lakers will face off against the 7th seed Pelicans in the first play-in game. Adding to the drama, the winner earns a shot at the 2nd seed Denver in the first round. Would either team dare to lose the first play-in game in hopes of winning the second and facing off against the top-seeded Oklahoma City? There are two glaring issues with that strategy: 1) the 9th/10th seed team, be it the Warriors or Kings, is formidable and could easily upset the Lakers/Pelicans; 2) Oklahoma City should not be underestimated, boasting a 57-win record and a strong MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns left no doubt in their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, dominating with a 125-106 victory. This sets the stage for a tantalizing 3 vs. 6 first-round matchup. Phoenix seized control early, establishing a 22-point lead after the first quarter, with Bradley Beal scoring 36 points and Devin Booker adding 23. Can the Timberwolves shake off this defeat and regroup before the weekend to make this series competitive? With Kevin Durant and Booker leading the charge, it's sure to be a thrilling showdown.
Looking ahead, the playoff series dates and times are yet to be finalized, but some matchups are already creating buzz:
- The Mavericks vs. Clippers matchup stands out as the most compelling first-round clash, transcending conference boundaries. If Kawhi Leonard returns to full health, this series could swing either way, especially since Leonard will have had 21 days off for his sore knee by the time Game 1 tips off next weekend.
- Following the Lakers' win over the Pelicans, Anthony Davis limped off the court after his back locked up from a shove by Larry Nance Jr. Despite the setback, Davis assured fans that he would be ready to play on Tuesday.
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