- The NBA released the schedule of the In-Season Tournament
- The Lakers are in Group A in the West along with the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Utah Jazz
- The Lakers fans predicted an easy win in the group stage
Los Angeles Lakers fans were optimistic that their team would get the better of the opponents they would be playing in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament starting November 3 this year.
The Lakers open their campaign against the Phoenix Suns on November 10. They follow it up with a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 14.
This will be followed by another away encounter against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 17, and later host the Utah Jazz at home on November 21.
Soon after the announcement, Lakers fans were amped up and believed that wins were a certainty. Here are some of the comments:
[Please note some comments are edited for clarity in grammar]
“Lakers in 4.”
“Lakers winning it all.”
“Got mine locked in.”
“Champions League of basketball, and we winning this.”
“Looks like we winning the tourney year one.”
“Lakers gonna win the first ever in-season tournament and be the first team to win BOTH this and the title.”
The Lakers are part of the West’s Group A. The In-Season tournament tips off on November 3. and ends on December 9 with the Semifinals and Championship taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
How Does The Lakers’ Chances Look In The Group Stage Of The In-Season Tournament?
On paper, it appears that the Lakers can definitely end up as the toppers of the group. Their toughest matchup will be against the stacked Phoenix Suns, comprising of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Deandre Ayton.
Their other matchups against the Grizzlies, Blazers, and Jazz are clashes most believe would see the Lakers emerge with a win. With Ja Morant suspended for 25 games, the Grizzlies will be reliant on Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Derrick Rose.
As for the Blazers, it remains to be seen if the Lakers will face the Blazers with Damian Lillard still on the side, assuming he isn’t traded to the Heat by then.
The bigger question, though is the Lakers’ approach to the tournament. Will they focus on preserving LeBron James and Anthony Davis and have the rest of the roster play the in-season tournament? Or will they be keen to make a statement by winning it? Only time will tell.
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