(Basketball news) The Los Angeles completed a incredible comeback this season after just managing a single win in their first 10 games they finished with a record of 43-39 and finished 7th in the Western Conference table. They will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 7th vs 8th matchup in the play-in tournament as the winner of this contest will be the No. 7 seed in the West and will play the No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the postseason. The loser will play Friday against either the New Orleans Pelicans or Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 8 seed.
Minnesota finished with a record of 42-40 and will be without rim protector Gobert after he was suspended for the game for punching teammate Kyle Anderson in the chest during a 113-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Los Angeles transformed the roster at the trade deadline before winning nine wins in its last 11 games. The Lakers almost guaranteed a playoff spot as they fell short by only a game. But the stellar finish to season has Los Angeles encouraged about the prospects of a playoff run.
The most anticipated games will be the Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors as both California teams will battle it out in the 1st round of the playoffs. Both the teams have the best offence in the league as the Kings averaged 121 points this season while the Warriors have hit the most number of threes this season. For the Kings, DeAron Fox and Sabonis have been the best duo in the league as both the players are averaging more than 25 points this season. While for the Warriors, Klay Thompson, Steph Curry and Jordan Poole have hit more than a 1000 three pointers for the defending champions.
The Phoenix Suns take on the Los Angeles Clippers as Kevin Durant takes on old nemesis Kawhi Leonard. The Suns since the blockbuster trade of Kevin Durant are unbeaten whenever he has played in the team. On the other hand, the Clippers will be without their star guard Paul George for the playoff series. But ever since his injury Kawhi Leonard has elevated his game and is playing the way he played in the 2019/20 season. He is averaging more than 25 points and 10 rebounds per game and along with Russell Westbrook it seems they have formed a deadly back court.
Also read: NBA: Golden State Warriors set record and secure play-off spot on final day
