Epic Clash: Shaq expects history to repeat itself when LeBron James’ LA Lakers face Nikola Jokic of Denver, Schedule for Lakers vs. Nuggets first round playoff series
LeBron James’ LA Lakers edge New Orleans Pelicans to book clash with Denver Nuggets
The Los Angeles Lakers have secured a spot in the 2024 NBA playoffs.
They defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament on Tuesday and will face the second-seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round. Denver swept the Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference finals en route to winning the championship.
When speaking on “Inside The NBA” after the Lakers victory, Hall of Fame big man Shaquille O’Neal warned that history could repeat itself. He noted how the Lakers ‘have no answer’ for Nikola Jokic.
“They don’t have an answer for the Joker,” Shaq said. “Hopefully Denver can have some slippage so the Lakers can have some success. But if Denver is focused and the Lakers are focused, it might be another sweep.”
The Lakers lost all three of their meetings with the Nuggets this season. If we include last season’s playoffs, the Purple and Gold have lost their last seven meetings with Mike Malone’s team. Denver clearly has the Lakers’ number. As such, Darvin Ham and his coaching staff must get creative. They need to find ways to put LeBron James and Anthony Davis in a position to dominate on both sides of the floor.
Furthermore, the Lakers need their role players to step into the limelight. They can only hand the Nuggets an early exit by playing complete basketball on both sides of the ball. However, expecting a team to do that in four out of seven games is a tall order.
The Nuggets have been dominant all season. The Lakers will undoubtedly have a chance at success, but with each game they lose, that chance will drastically reduce. Ham’s team will need to be near-perfect if it wants to cause an upset and advance to the second round.
Schedule for Lakers vs. Nuggets first round playoff series
After winning their play-in game against the Pelicans, the Lakers are set to play the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Here’s a look at the complete series schedule.
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The Lakers made it a perfect 3-for-3 in the play-in with a win against the Pelicans on Tuesday, securing the No. 7 seed a spot in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Unfortunately, what awaits them is a rematch with the Denver Nuggets in the first round. No team has had the Lakers number more than the defending champions. Last season, Denver swept the purple and gold out of the playoffs and followed it up by sweeping the season series this year.
Dating back to 2022, the Nuggets have an eight-game win streak over the Lakers. It’s an enormous road block standing in front of the Lakers, but one the team is going to have to clear at some point if a title is the end goal.
It will certainly be the premier series of the first round of the NBA playoffs. And if you’re wondering “When will the Lakers and Nuggets play?” or where the game might be televised or streamed, we have your answer.
Here is the schedule that has been released so far, all times Pacific.
Game 1
Date and Time: Saturday, April 20, 5:30 p.m.
TV Channel(s): ABC
Location: Denver
Game 2
Date and Time: Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m.
TV Channel(s): TNT, Spectrum SportsNet
Location: Denver
Game 3
Date and Time: Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
TV Channel(s): TNT, Spectrum SportsNet
Location: Los Angeles
Game 4
Date and Time: Saturday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m.
TV Channel(s): ABC
Location: Los Angeles
Game 5 (if necessary)
Date and Time: Monday, April 29, TBD
TV Channel(s): TBD
Location: Denver
Game 6 (if necessary)
Date and Time: Thursday, May 2, TBD
TV Channel(s): TBD
Location: Los Angeles
Game 7 (if necessary)
Date and Time: Saturday, May 4, TBD
TV Channel(s): TNT
Location: Denver
This will be continually updated as the TV information and start times for games are announced by the NBA, if necessary, so bookmark this page and stay tuned to Silver Screen & Roll to stay up to date with the latest!
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