Play-In Preview, Lakers Vs. Pelicans: Can LeBron Stop Zion Again? Who Stops Anthony Davis?

The Lakers spanked the Pelicans on Sunday to earn their way to the 8-seed and... a repeat of Sunday's game in New Orleans. This time, however, the winner of the game advances straight into the rest of the postseason, finishing as the West's 7-seed and winning a chance to travel to Denver this weekend.
The loser plays the winner of Wednesday's game between Sacramento and Golden State.
On paper, at least, the Lakers would seem to be the favorites. Three wins in four games over New Orleans, with an average mergin of victory exceeding 26 points. That's some real dominance and indicates the Lakers have structural advantages in the matchup. LeBron James, in addition to being excellent, is also a bad matchup for Zion Williamson, who can't use his strength to bully James around offensively and can't outthink the supercomputer that is LeBron, either. The Pellies don't have a great matchup guarding James, either. And meanwhile, as Sunday showed, they're not rich in guys who match up well with Anthony Davis.
On the other hand, the Pelicans have been, at least until a bit of an injury-induced lull at the end of the year, among the best teams in the conference for much of the second half. There is plenty of talent there, and no shortage of shooting.
So what's going to happen? We break it down in a fantastic crossover episode with Jake Madison, host of Locked On Pelicans.
What are the matchups to watch? How might the Pelicans turn things around against LA? What are the big strategic plays available for both teams?
Plus, should either group be looking to tank the game in order to change their odds for a longer playoff run?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Jake Madison
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get another crack at the Pels, after throttling them good three out of four games this year.
SEGMENT 2: LeBron vs. Zion.
SEGMENT 3: How the Pelicans can turn the tables on LA.
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[@aDubOneLove]

Been saying it since the trade DLo train after the WCF last year, DLo is this team’s X factor! When he plays well, the Lakers as a whole play well. They feed off of his energy.

[@seancarino5557]

bring on the denver dont delay the inevitable... injuries may hurt as in the long run

[@user-lc4xh9lh7o]

As a competitor, I have never wanted to play against anyone I know I can beat unless they want to lose money. The idea that people who've played at the highest level would duck a team because they might lose, but then play a lesser team and claim to be a champion diagust me

[@user-nr4bm9kc7y]

Just need to be consistent,thats all the Lakers need,not only Lebron and AD,should be the complete team

[@HERKIMER_]

WE HAVE THE TALENT TO GO ALL THE WAY EXCEPT FOR THE GUY ON THE BENCH RUNNING THE SHOW....

[@Blazin50s]

Losing to swerve Denver is a lose-lose situation. The whole west has to go through Denver.

[@robertfoster7366]

Let’s go Lakers!!!

[@Shawnpee3496]

I’m looking ahead to the Nuggets Series. If D’lo can come close to matching Jamal Murray’s scoring, the Lakers have a chance to win in 7. He has to play the series of his life in order for them to win.

[@Halfricanmj24]

We’re healthy as can be now so let’s try to take down Denver. All games have been close just some bad late game execution

[@BarelyAverageDude]

We should want the Lakers to go against the Nuggets with full confidence. If you want to duck a team then you don't deserve the championship. *Win or lose, competitors compete.*

[@craigosterberg5045]

Go Lakers

[@khojanekhethisa9711]

Nice changeup in the intro

[@quentinseicappie1246]

Thank you. For all those confident about facing denver in rd 1. 🎉 Personally as a laker fan, i want all the smoke. With all the talking malone did, with the way the media makes jt seem like theyre so unbeatable, it will be Poetic f**k**g justice to send their a$$e$ home in Round 1😂😂😂. I want ALL Da Smoke. Cuz thats whats going to happen Periodt. Heres why: 1. Dlo. Dennis shroeder. Vando. All had rotation mins last yr. They all stunk up the joint offensively. Post allstar break this yr, lakers starting 5 has been better Denvers. 104ppg lakers vs 94ppg nuggets. 1.Dlo 19ppg. 44%fg 41%3s vs kcp 10ppg. 49%fg. 45%3s 2. Reaves. 16ppg. 47%fg. 37%3s vs murray. 23ppg. 51%fg. 46% 3s. 3.Rui 16ppg. 56%fg. 45%3s vs jokic. 27ppg. 59%fg. 38%3s 4.Lebron 28ppg. 58%fg. 45%3s vs mpj. 18ppg. 51%fg. 40%3s 5. Ad. 24ppg. 56%fg. 25%3s vs aaron gord 14ppg. 58%fg. 24%3s Starters lakers 104 vs denver 94. www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/lakers-players-since-all-star-break-this-season Vs www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/nuggets-players-since-all-star-break-this-season Ad should clog the paint and allow aaron gordon to shoot all the 3s till his hearts content. HAMM DOES this, this could be a bloodbath. 2. Denver had key rotation vets off the bench. Bruce brown. Jeff green. Im.sure im.missing one more person. This yr they have only reggie jackson as a rotation vet. Christian braun is like max christie as far as being a 2nd yr player. A far cry from the jeff greens of the world. U really think these young boys gon be ready for the moment against a fresh healthy lebron James? Lakers have spencer dinwiddie, gabe vincent. Jackson hayes. Prince maybe even vando and c.wood. 3. Lakers have the 5th best team defense since allstar break.(thats without vando) Those nuggets? 11th. www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/best-team-defense-since-all-star-break-this-season The only problem is: 4. Best clutch team since the break. Denver is #2. 120off. 110 def. Lakers are 17th. 118 off. 116 def. I wont be honest if i dont bring this up. Btw Boston is #1. By far. www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/best-net-rating-in-last-5mins-since-all-star-break-this-season Nba.com says we are #4. And denver is #2. www.nba.com/stats/teams/clutch-advanced Conclusion: Ok ok, stats aint everything, right. But we are shooting the ball better than last yr. Our starting 5 has been better than denvers offensively. Our bench is more experienced. We have the best defense for 43mins of the gm. They just dial it up several notches during the last 5mins. If we out execute them, or AD clogs the paint from the start of the game, playing aaron gordon off the floor, we got them beat. Hot 🔥 take. If Hamm earns his keep, Dont be surprise if we return the favor and sweep them out of the 1st round. That AD on Aaron gordon. AD clogs the paint. That stifles their offense big time. But its all probably a Pipe dream 😂 Hey if they beat us, atleast we will be home early resting and healing for next season. Come back stronger. We pick up Zvonimir’s ivisic and adama bal in the 2nd round (fingers cross). Start rui again and end up top 3 seed next yr. But we will still have a denver problem then too 😂.

[@LN-Lifer]

Yeah but you left out the voodoo magic shit- NONE of that matters because Denver simply cannot miss in the last few minutes against us!

[@kaseemburr4825]

So this whole video is ‘how can the pelicans stop the lakers from blowing them out’ that’s what I got from this video

[@Sandcastle992]

Lol 😂😂😂

[@trevorwinn5012]

No messing around tonight !! Go take care of business and then get ready for Denver !! Get it done !

[@gkstefat]

I want the old intro back😢

[@luedagangsta2645]

Man said ‘’Lakers Vs Pelican is like Rock Paper Scissors 💀

[@NotYourTypicalLakersFan]

😂

[@kenyu3846]

Jake doesn’t look too happy

[@armandomorata]

Again, get the W and prepare for Denver, avoiding Denver is not the proper mind set during play off time🎉🎉🎉 Basketball is a game of adjustment during the game not putting hands in the pocket and watching/enjoying the game while the team is bring clobbered by the opponent😅😅😅

[@FATHERSOFBASS]

GO LAKERSSSSSS!!!! GO KAM BROTHERRRRRRSSSSS!!!! 💙💙💙💙💙🍻🫡💪🔥🏀💣

[@israelsantiago5069]

Dlo Dlo

[@benpatton6484]

We have to go through Denver anyways!

[@user-lc4xh9lh7o]

Zion has no jump shot, so, no. The reason Jokic, Luka, Shai are game changers is because they have an outside shot

[@sriramkonda5780]

If Vando return needs some time better to loose and win next win

[@Average_Dadx]

somehow I was unsubscribed and had to find you guys and get signed back up. weird.

[@zingisamahlasela]

Even rival fans know the Ham is not a good coach (at least yet)

[@pcjenkin]

The Lakers are hungry and there's the smell of blood in the air. This will be a tune-up for the Nuggets. These playoffs are like Star Wars; Anakin could beat Count Dooku who could beat Obi-Wan, but Obi-Wan could beat Anakin.

[@iMOptimalBio]

Fk denver lets go

[@seancarino5557]

❤

[@ytdgreat]

really???alvarado jersey🤣🤣🤣

[@TheMcwattchris]

Appreciate you losing that annoying music cue in old open…woohoo

[@FreeSpeechWarrior]

I would have to turn my volume way down before their old opening music would start and then turn the volume up to normal levels once the podcast started. Especially if I was around other people. 😂 But they still have that irritating woman's voice at the beginning. 😂

[@LockedOnLakers]

@@FreeSpeechWarrior We're really not in charge of either the music or the VO voice they use, but we're glad you like the change. (We did pick this opening out of a few different choices...) BK

[@FreeSpeechWarrior]

@@LockedOnLakers Thanks AK and BK, good job guys. 👍

[@TheAngryLakersFan]

My beautiful bald brethren, random question but how tall are y'all? Believe it or not it's impossible to find via google 😆

[@LockedOnLakers]

I'm 6'9". BK

[@TheAngryLakersFan]

@@LockedOnLakers If this were true the Lakers would have given you a 10-day long ago 😂

[@gregpollard7158]

Much Respect to The NO & The State of LA!!! A lot of Blac(k) Folks from LA have Roots in NO & The State of LA via The Great Migration!!! • It's gone be a Good Game Tonight!!! • The BI & AD Swap was Good for Both Teams!!! • Zion is a Star ⭐️ but, has the potential to be a Super 🌟 Star if He gets in LBJ Type Shape: 250-260!!! No, He won't be LBJ but, He can be a Lil Chuck Barkley who Averaged 26/12 in His MVP Season.

[@robertshirley3422]

This happens every year with Lebron. His teams are mediocre for 82 games, but because Lebron gets too much respect all of his fans and sychphants somehow think the Lakers are favored or a forerunner!! 😂😂😂😂

[@DjMalondaVEVO]

I see can that you guys doing this show just to make views, you’re not the real lakers supporter, cause a real fan don’t explain to the opponent how you can beat his team. I’m disappointed in you guys.

[@kenyu3846]

Relax bro willie green isn’t game planning off this video 😅

[@laner1172]

lakers gotta throw this game

[@fearlesskingdom4051]

Coward

[@Stephen32-zs7jm]

No Sir...Bron and AD ain't scared of Joker and Murray.

[@Persico-qv9yh]

MARK MY WORDS! THE LAKERS WILL LOSE TONIGHT AND ON FRIDAY! *PROMISE*

[@quentinseicappie1246]

Lol wishful thinking. You're a fan of which team? Probably a fan boy of a failing dynasty.. your boys are going to be stomped by the pelicans on Friday. Send you fishing before it starts😂😂😂 Are you scared you won't be invited to the big dance..😂 .u too ugly to get an invite? Your last playoff run was getting a deep throat from lebron in a 6gms whooping? Huh? Run along lil boy

[@jadenbrijalba1823]

Clown

[@dohboi214]

Lol

[@gamerf2p843]

Why are you trying to hex the team?

[@dohboi214]

@@gamerf2p843 just weird shit.