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NBA Playoffs: Lakers to Face Nuggets, Pelicans to Play Kings
First-Round Matchups Set After Play-In Tournament
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
The Los Angeles Lakers are the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will face the No. 2 Denver Nuggets in the first round. The Lakers clinched their playoff berth with a win over the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament.
The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 53-29 record, good for second place in the West. They have one of the most potent offenses in the league, led by MVP Nikola Jokic. The Lakers will need to find a way to slow down Jokic and the Nuggets' other offensive weapons.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings
The New Orleans Pelicans are the No. 8 seed in the West and will face the No. 9 Sacramento Kings in the first round. The Pelicans also clinched their playoff berth with a win in the play-in tournament.
The Kings finished the regular season with a 32-50 record. They are a young team with a lot of potential, but they will need to play their best basketball to upset the Pelicans.
The Lakers and Pelicans will both be underdogs in their respective series, but they have both shown that they can beat anyone on any given night. It should be an exciting first round of the playoffs.
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