Denver Nuggets (1) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8)
It’s a matchup that everyone wants to see and it’s one that could come to fruition. At the moment, the Los Angeles Lakers are in a position where it could seemingly happen. The Lakers are likely going to have to play their way into the NBA Playoffs. And if I had to guess, they’re probably going to enter as the 9th or 10th seed in the Play-In Tournament. That means that they are likely going to be the 8th seed if they make it into the postseason.
And that means a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. Seeing how there’s a contingent of the NBA media that believes the Lakers would beat the Nuggets in a seven-game playoff series, I’d like to see it happen.
The individual matchups would be great too. LeBron James (assuming he’s healthy) going up against the flurry of wings that the Nuggets have, including Jamal Murray in the backcourt would be the opening act. The main event would include a potential historically great back-and-forth between Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis.
And considering how good this matchup was in the NBA bubble playoffs a few years ago, this first-round matchup would have the potential to offer great intrigue.