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Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the potential second-round playoff matchups

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunderduring the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunderduring the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Ranking the Los Angeles Lakers’ potential second-round matchups: 2. Oklahoma City Thunder

This might be a bit of a surprise as most people would say that the Utah Jazz are the more talented team and thus would be a harder matchup for the Lakers. I think the Jazz are an easier matchup for LA and will discuss why on their dedicated slide.

As for the Thunder, this might be a team that is 0-3 against the Lakers in the regular season but it is still a team that is going to give the Lakers a good series. Two of the losses to the Lakers were in tightly-contested games and the experience on the Thunder would create an interesting series.

Chris Paul has the negative playoff narrative but he is still one of the ten greatest point guards of all-time and has more experience than most players in the league. He, alongside vets Danilo Gallinari and Steven Adams, know how to handle themselves in playoff situations.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a really exciting young guard who could take a game over for the Thunder and steal a win for the Lakers. With no home-court advantage to bank on, this absolutely is a series where the Thunder can push it to five or even six games.

I don’t think it will ever be out of the question, but I would not be surprised if this is a series where the Lakers are up 3-1 and Paul’s veteran leadership forces a Game 6, only for the Lakers to then put the Thunder away.

This potential playoff series kind of reminds me of the Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Clippers first-round matchup last year. That was a series that we all knew the Warriors would win but the Clippers were able to make some noise and at least make it somewhat of a series.

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