Lakers Face Long Odds Against Rockets in Play-In

Lakers Face Long Odds Against Rockets in Play-In

The NBA playoffs are here, and the play-in tournament kicks off tonight. While the top seeds in the West were already set, the Denver Nuggets locked up the third spot with a 10-point win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Nuggets took advantage as the Spurs rested star player Victor Wembanyama. Denver finished the regular season strong, winning their 12th game in a row, which is the fourth-longest winning streak to end a regular season in NBA history.

Spurs’ Dominance and Denver’s Shadow

The Spurs have been playing incredibly well, losing only four games since February. Interestingly, three of those losses came against the Nuggets. The other loss was on the road against the New York Knicks at the end of a long trip. This raises the question of whether the Spurs might regret not trying to win their last game to avoid Denver in the second round.

“I don’t know if they’re a bad matchup, but I think once you get to the second round of the playoffs, you can’t run from anybody,” said analyst Iman Shumpert. “If you are afraid of a team because you lose a game by close margins on the road, then you’re probably not built for it.”

Shumpert also discussed the possibility of a Denver vs. San Antonio playoff series. While many have talked about a San Antonio vs. OKC conference final, Denver could stand in the way. “I still think that the Spurs have to see OKC,” Shumpert stated. “But I think the competitor in not only Wembanyama, but in the Spurs organization is saying we’re going to see them and that’s fine.”

Playoff Experience Matters

A key factor in any potential playoff series between San Antonio and Denver is playoff experience. The Spurs have a young team with no playoff experience, while the Nuggets have a core that won a championship just a few years ago. This experience gap could be huge.

“It makes a whole lot,” Shumpert explained about the impact of playoff experience. “I think the biggest thing that it comes down to is that man right there, Jokic. Him being calm and collective, but not only being that, being a league leader in multiple categories… Whenever you have a guy making decisions and he’s making it at the five position, it’s just hard to defend against.”

The discussion drew parallels to the Oklahoma City Thunder two years ago. Despite being the top seed in the West, they were eliminated in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks, largely due to a lack of playoff experience. This suggests that San Antonio might face a similar learning curve.

Lakers’ Uphill Battle Against Houston

The play-in tournament features a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers (4th seed) and the Houston Rockets (5th seed). Despite their seeding, the Rockets are considered heavy favorites to win this game. This is mainly because the Lakers are severely shorthanded, having lost key players like LeBron James and Austin Reaves at crucial times. Conventional wisdom, and betting odds, suggest the Lakers have a slim chance.

“Without a doubt,” Shumpert responded when asked if the Lakers have no chance. “I hate to say it, but there’s no cool way to say it. Um, I don’t think that we’re going to be watching bad basketball the way everybody’s been saying, though. They made it seem like it’s going to be a tanking series type of thing. And I don’t think it’s going to be that. I think they got competitors over there.”

Despite the odds, Shumpert believes LeBron James can still make it a competitive game if they stay close. However, for the Lakers to win, LeBron would need an exceptional performance, likely needing around 35 points and 15 assists. The consensus is that the Lakers are entering this series too short-handed.

Other Play-In Matchups and Star Power

The play-in tournament also features other intriguing matchups. The Golden State Warriors, with Steph Curry, will face the Los Angeles Clippers. Curry will need to score heavily, with Shumpert suggesting he needs to put up at least 30-35 points to give his team a chance to advance and gain confidence.

The Philadelphia 76ers, with Tyrese Maxey, will play the Orlando Magic. However, with Joel Embiid dealing with appendicitis, their chances of making significant noise in the playoffs are slim, according to analyst Vince Goodwill.

“By noise you mean winning more than a game. I don’t know what type of noise they can make with Joel Embiid having appendicitis in Houston. I don’t know what they are capable of doing,” Goodwill questioned.

Giannis’ Future with the Bucks

In Milwaukee, head coach Doc Rivers is out after three years. The biggest question mark surrounds Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was asked if this was his last game as a Buck. His response was uncertain, stating, “That’s a very good question. I don’t know. It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”

This ambiguity has sparked speculation about his future. The Bucks can offer Giannis a massive contract extension, but if he declines, it could signal a desire for a trade. Shumpert believes Giannis is trying to avoid being seen as the “villain” and wants to maintain a positive relationship with the team and fans.

“Giannis just spent a lot of time not being a bad guy,” Shumpert said. “He doesn’t want to be the villain, so to speak. Want to keep it positive. Had a great time in Milwaukee.”

Others, like analyst Stephen A. Smith, compared the situation to Kevin Garnett’s departure from Minnesota. Garnett led the team to great heights but couldn’t win a championship. Giannis, however, has already brought a title to Milwaukee. If he decides to move on, many believe the fans would understand and thank him for his contributions.

The timing of any potential move is also a factor. With the NBA Finals potentially ending in late June and the draft shortly after, any trade involving Giannis would likely need to happen before the draft to maximize draft capital for the Bucks. Teams like the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets are mentioned as potential destinations.

Source: Iman Shumpert says the Lakers have 'NO CHANCE' to beat the Rockets! | Get Up (YouTube)