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Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting the play-in games and awards

By Ed Schrenzel

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 24, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 24, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Due to injuries to their top two players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers tumbled to seventh place in the West. Under the new postseason format, the Los Angeles Lakers now must win a play-in game to qualify for the actual playoffs.

Their first chance occurs Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors. If they win that game, they remain the seventh seed and go on to face Phoenix, the second seed.

Even if they somehow manage to lose that game, they’d get a second chance against the winner of the Memphis-San Antonio contest. If they are victorious that time, they’ll be seeded eighth and advance to face number-one seeded Utah.

Let’s take a step on the bold side and predict the play-in games:

Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors:

This should be a relatively easy matchup for the purple and gold. Golden State will find it very difficult to defend both LeBron and AD, who might each score over 30 points. Additionally, Andre Drummond should have his way inside.

Yes, the Warriors feature the great shooter, Steph Curry. But the Los Angeles Lakers showed in last year’s playoffs against the likes of Damian Lillard, James Harden and Jamal Murray that they can defend one great player and limit the impact he has on the game.

Lakers will win by 10 points or more.

Grizzlies vs Spurs: San Antonio is slumping at the wrong time, losing 8 of its last 10 games. Memphis should win easily.

Warriors vs Grizzlies: This will be a re-match of Sunday’s game. Look for a similar result with Golden State advancing to face top seed Utah.

Celtics vs Wizards: Boston has injury problems while Washington is coming on strong. The Wizards will upset the Celtics to grab the 7th seed and play Brooklyn.

Pacers vs Hornets: Each team has struggled down the stretch but Indiana has the better roster and should prevail.

Celtics vs Pacers:  Boston should muster just enough energy to nail down the 8th seed in the East and face rival Philadelphia, the top seed.

Now your fearless forecaster will predict the regular season individual awards:

MVP: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets. Although Steph Curry had a spectacular season, the MVP should never be awarded to a player on an eighth-place team.

Most Improved Player: Julius Randle, Knicks. This would be the second straight year a player drafted by the Lakers won the award (Brandon Ingram did last year).

Comeback Player of the Year: Kevin Durant, Nets

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Utah, edging out Ben Simmons, 76ers

Coach of the Year: A three-horse race with Tom Thibodeau, Knicks, nosing out Quin Snyder, Jazz, and Monty Williams, Suns

All-NBA Teams:

First Team: Curry, Luka Doncic, Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Randle

Second Team: Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson

Third Team:  Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Gobert, Khris Middleton, Ingram

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

(The list excluded many stars who missed 20 or more games, including James, Davis, Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Donovan Mitchell)

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