Play-In Tournament Concludes: Lakers Secure Playoff Spot
Eighth-Seed Lakers Draw Nuggets in First Round
The NBA play-in tournament has reached its conclusion, setting the stage for the highly-anticipated playoffs. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) and the New Orleans Pelicans emerged victorious to secure their spots in the postseason.
Lakers Survive Pelicans Surge
The Lakers faced a tough challenge in their play-in matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite a strong fourth-quarter run from New Orleans, the Lakers held on to win 125-123. Anthony Davis led the scoring for Los Angeles with 31 points, while LeBron James recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 14 assists, and 9 rebounds.
First-Round Matchup Set
With their victory, the Lakers have earned a first-round playoff matchup against the Denver Nuggets, the third seed in the West. The Nuggets have been one of the most consistent teams in the league this season, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The series is set to begin on Saturday, April 20th, at 8:30 pm ET on ABC.
Crawford's Play-In Insights
In a recent interview, 20-year NBA veteran Jamal Crawford answered 20 questions about the play-in tournament. Here are a few of his insights:
- On the intensity of the play-in games: "It's like a playoff atmosphere. You can feel the pressure and the importance of every possession."
- On the Lakers' victory: "They showed a lot of toughness and resilience. They could have folded after the Pelicans' run, but they kept their composure."
- On the Lakers' matchup with the Nuggets: "It's going to be a tough series. The Nuggets are one of the best teams in the league, but the Lakers have the star power and experience to make it a competitive matchup."
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