Lake Show Life
Fansided

NBA’s latest decision continues to pave way for Lakers in playoffs

By Jason Reed

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 16: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 16: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to take a 2-0 series lead over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. If LeBron James and Anthony Davis can pull that off, it will be extremely hard for the Grizzlies to dig themselves out of the hole.

As unfortunate as it is from a basketball fan point of view, Los Angeles does benefit from Ja Morant’s wrist injury. How much time he ultimately misses is still up in the air but even if he plays, it certainly will hinder his performance.

Things have really been lining up for the Lake Show in the NBA Playoffs. It started with Rudy Gobert and Jalen McDaniels not being able to play in the play-in and continued with the league giving LA a favorable playoff schedule. Even now, Los Angeles is benefitting from the Warriors-Kings series and the fact that Sacramento is up two games to zero.

If that was not enough, the NBA continued to help the Lake Show out and decided to suspend Draymond Green for one game for stopping on Domantas Sabonis. This is not the first time LeBron has benefitted from a Draymond suspension.

Lakers undoubtedly benefit from the Draymond Green suspension.

This is not even a series that the Lake Show is playing in and it is something that the team undoubtedly benefits from. Of course, Los Angeles has to take care of business against Memphis first. But if that happens (it should) the team should be walking into a great situation in round two.

Green’s suspension makes it extremely tough for the Warriors to come back from the 2-0 deficit and might be enough to cement the Kings in the next round. It may not happen in four games, but it is really hard to pick against the Kings with a 2-0 series lead and no Draymond for Game 3.

As great as Sacramento’s story has been this season, the Kings would represent a much easier matchup for the Lakers in round two. The ceiling of the Warriors is simply higher and Golden State is one of few teams that can match LeBron’s playoff experience.

The Kings have none of that playoff experience and they also have a defense that would really struggle against this Lakers team. With LA having one of the best defensive ratings in the sport since the trade deadline and having a defensive anchor near the rim to help with De’Aaron Fox’s driving, LA represents a nightmare matchup for Sacramento.

Next. 14 best playoff games in Lakers franchise history. dark

Home/Lakers News