Lakers News: How LeBron James Feels About Denver Rematch
The 47-35 Los Angeles Lakers are heading to the playoffs, after all.
Although their edge over the New Orleans Pelicans looked tenuous at times in last night's play-in tournament clash, as when they surrendered an entire 18-point advantage and let Zion Williamson help his team claw its way back into the game, they did ultimately secure a 110-106 victory and will now move on to face the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in a 2-7 playoff series matchup.
LA All-Star forward LeBron James, who had a near-triple double against New Orleans with 23 points, nine dimes and nine boards, spoke about his feelings regarding this year's playoff rematch against the Nuggets, who swept Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals last season.
“It’s the defending champion," James remarked, per Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times. "They know what it takes. They know how to win. They’ve been extremely dominant on their home floor over the last few years. They’ve got an MVP on their team. They’ve got a closer on their team. They’ve got high-level players, high-IQ players. And they’ve got a hell of a coach.”
“So we have to play mistake-free basketball," James said. "Make it tough on them. They’re gonna try to make it tough on us, obviously. But if we can play as great of a game as we can play, and they’re gonna play as great of a game as they play, it’s gonna come down to one or two possessions.... And we’ll see who executes then.”
It's worth noting that the Lakers have won 12 of their last 15 contests heading into this playoff series, which tips off on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT on ABC.
