L.A. Lakers: The Most Favorable Matchups for the Team in the Postseason
With the majority of the regular season coming to a close, NBA fans of playoff teams look for the best possible scenarios for their respective teams in the postseason.
Los Angeles Laker fans are no exception.
Although the Lakers are riding a seven-game win streak since the All-Star break and playing arguably the best basketball of the season, fans look for an edge in postseason matchups.
Before I dive into the best case scenarios for the Lakers in the postseason, let me clarify one thing: The Lakers are the two-time defending champions, and when playing at their best, no team can beat them in a seven-game series.
They are coached well, possess veteran leadership and have arguably the best player in the league.
However, their lack of motivation at times, long postseason runs and aging legs account for their inconsistency and leave many Laker fans and analysts alike doubting their ability to three-peat.
Despite their recent success, the Lakers have placed themselves in a challenging situation. In all likelihood, they will not go into the postseason as the No. 1 seed and have to maintain their heightened level of play to pass Dallas for the No. 2 seed.
Thus, it leaves one to ponder what matchups would be more advantageous for the Lakers, while looking to avoid more challenging ones.
First Round: The Memphis Grizzlies
1 of 5
Most Favorable Matchup:
The Grizzlies are currently 36-29 and toying with the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference standings. Although the Lakers are just 2-2 against Memphis in the regular season, and Memphis demolished the Lakers by 19 points in the first game of 2011, the Lakers have significant advantages over the Grizzlies.
Memphis is only 18th in the league in rebounding and 14th in the league in points allowed per game.
Although Marc Gasol always gives his brother, Pau, a run for his money, the Lakers just have too much size and experience for Memphis.
Furthermore, the Memphis squad has zero playoff experience and a relatively subdued fanbase in home games.
The Lakers should roll past the Grizzlies in four or five games.
Least Favorable Matchup:
The Trail Blazers are currently matched up with the Lakers at the No. 6 seed. Although the Lakers are 2-0 against the Blazers during the regular season, and Portland is just 27th in the league in rebounding, the Lakers struggle when playing in Portland.
Portland's fanbase is exactly what Memphis is not—loud, annoying and loyal.
Although the Lakers would likely roll past the Trail Blazers in five or six games, it would not be a easy series.
Western Conference Semifinals: The Portland Trail Blazers
2 of 5
Most Favorable Matchup:
The best possible scenario for Laker fans in the second round would be Dallas giving up the No. 2 seed, or even better, losing to a bottom-feeding playoff seed. Although not very likely, we have seen Dallas give up the No. 1 seed to the No. 8 seed not too long ago.
With that said, if the Mavericks were to fall to the No. 3 seed and Portland was able to remain at the No. 6, Portland could theoretically emerge out of the first round. Although this is a long shot, and the Lakers would still struggle playing in Portland, it would be far better than facing Dirk and the Mavs.
Also, if the Lakers don't secure the No. 2 seed, and the Mavericks lose in the first round, that would mean the Lakers would have home-court advantage in the second round.
Least Favorable Matchup:
The Dallas Mavericks. It's probably going to happen.
Realistically, the best case scenario for the Lakers would be to grab the No. 2 seed from Dallas and hold home court in the second round.
The Lakers have a lot to prove with two games remaining against the Mavericks. Phil Jackson called out the Mavericks when they lost Caron Butler to injury, suggesting that they would not be the same team without him.
Phil was wrong.
The Mavericks are able to play consistently and have elevated their defensive game to new heights this season. They share the ball extremely well, which would make it exhausting for the Lakers to rotate on open shooters. Furthermore, they hold a loud and loyal fanbase that makes it very, very difficult to win in Dallas.
The Lakers would likely be pushed to six or seven games against the Mavs, which would wear them down for a daunting Western Conference Finals.
Western Conference Finals: The Oklahoma City Thunder
3 of 5
Most Favorable Matchup:
The Oklahoma City Thunder.
Yes, they are tough and tested the Lakers last year, but it is much better than facing the San Antonio Spurs with home-court advantage.
It can be said with relative certainty that the Spurs will hold the No. 1 seed and the Thunder No. 4. This means that to the Lakers' advantage, they will only have to face one of these teams.
Although the Thunder are much younger and faster than the Lakers, L.A. would hold home-court advantage against OKC. There's no telling what sort of impact Kendrick Perkins will make for the Thunder, but in all likelihood, he will add defensive tenacity and give the Thunder what they lacked against the Lakers last year.
Ron Artest has shown relative success in containing Kevin Durant, and Kobe has played Russell Westbrook pretty well. Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol can all contribute in battling Perkins for inside position and rebounds.
Sounds easy enough?
Not really. The Thunder are still much younger than the Lakers and run a faster game. Although Kobe can guard Westbrook, it would likely wear him out, and his offensive production might suffer.
Least Favorable Matchup:
Don't let the recent thrashing of the Spurs fool you, Laker fans. The Spurs are very much for real. They are coached well, disciplined, experienced and have a good mixture of young and old talent. They play team basketball, much like the Boston Celtics, and will not go out without a fight.
More importantly, the Spurs have been there before.
They know exactly what it takes to win, much like the Lakers.
In many ways, the Spurs and Lakers are very similar. This similarity would produce an epic showdown, and although a joy to watch for basketball fans, the Lakers would hold a much better edge against the Thunder.
NBA Finals: The Miami Heat
4 of 5
Most Favorable Matchup:
Yes, the Miami Heat.
Aside from the Heat's recent struggles and a 1-9 record against "elite" teams, the Heat are new, inexperienced and have more questions than they have answers.
Coach Erik Spoelstra has done little to validate his ability to coach three superstars.
LeBron has choked on too many crucial stretches in games.
Wade has seemingly and willingly taken a back seat to LeBron and has only shown us glimpses of his tremendous ability that won him an NBA championship.
Even worse, the two still have not shown that they can play together. Fast breaks and superstars don't win championships, teams do.
With that said, there is no stopping LeBron and Wade. Although they might have one or two low-scoring affairs in a potential Finals matchup, the best chance for any team going up against them is to limit and contain the two.
Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant can do just that. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom can clog the paint and contest shots to make sure the two have second thoughts about driving to the bucket. The Lakers can contain the Heat, but they can not stop them. Which might be exactly what it takes to win.
Least Favorable Matchup:
The Boston Celtics.
The Celtics are an extremely well coached and hungry team.
Keyword: team.
Paul Pierce has spoken candidly about how the Game 7 loss will haunt him forever. Garnett seems angrier and meaner than ever.
There is no way to know whether the Perkins trade will doom the Celtics, or if Shaq will come back healthy and strong.
But the Celtics are hungry. Making it to the NBA Finals last year after playing two worthy opponents on the road in the Eastern Conference playoffs is no easy task. But they made it and almost beat the Lakers in a Game 7.
Rondo is one of the best facilitators in the league. Ray Allen is having arguably his best season thus far, and Garnett is healthy. In ESPN's The Association: The Boston Celtics a reference was made to "nursing them to the finish line," which I believe is exactly what Doc Rivers is doing.
The Celtics are no longer the underdogs heading into the playoffs, and in all likelihood, will not have to battle through several teams seeded higher than them to reach the Finals.
They will come strong and fast. And although the Lakers would struggle against them more so than any other Eastern Conference team, a part of me wants the Celtics to make it to the Finals and watch them go down once again.
Conclusion: It Really Doesn't Matter
5 of 5
The Lakers have shown time and time again that the road to championship glory goes through them.
They have had tremendous letdowns and numerous statement games this season.
Getting the absolute best out of every opponent in the regular season can be tiring, and having made it to three straight NBA Finals is exhausting.
But the Lakers are coached too well, posses veteran leadership and have the best closer in the game in Kobe Bryant.
This is also Phil Jackson's last year.
When Phil was contemplating whether or not to return to the Lakers last offseason, it became glaringly clear that if he felt the Lakers couldn't contend for another championship, he would not return.
Sure, certain opponents would likely prove easier than others, but what it ultimately comes down is the Lakers' ability to remain poised, motivated and healthy.
In the end, it really won't matter who the Lakers play and whether or not they have home-court advantage throughout the majority of the playoffs.
What will matter is the Lakers' drive, motivation and cohesiveness when they face very worthy opponents.
.png?w=600 "76ers Stat When Down 0-2 👀")
