Los Angeles Lakers earn first round matchup with the Nuggets after play-in victory.

The Los Angeles Lakers needed to win one game to advance to the NBA playoffs, and they took care of business on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. In a 110-106 win, the Lakers officially locked up the 7th seed and secured a rematch with the defending champs in round one.

The Lakers controlled the game for most of the night but the Pelicans made a late push in the fourth quarter that eventually tied the game. Zion Williamson was leading the charge for NOLA, but not even 40 points and 11 rebounds were enough to keep his team going when he went down with an injury in the closing minutes.

The good news for the Pelicans is that they have another chance to save their season on Friday, in the final play-game game against Golden State. Only time will tell how they are fair in that matchup.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Lakers fans are feeling a sense of relief right now, knowing that they guaranteed a playoff spot and are starting a similar path as last season. LeBron James continues to defy time and tonight was another breakout performance, leading the team in scoring with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in 40 minutes of action.

Of course, the good vibes didn’t last long with the Denver Nuggets looming. These are the guys who swept the Lakers last season and now they are facing them again in the very first round.

Funnily enough, the Lakers were the 7th seed last season before their legendary run to the Conference Finals on the backs of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and young guard D’Angelo Russell. A lot has changed since then but the Lakers have no choice but to give the series everything they have and hope for the best.

Can The Lakers Beat The Denver Nuggets?

While a matchup against Denver is far from ideal for LeBron and the crew, there may be no team in the West better equipped to handle them in a 7-game series. Since it’s still early in the playoffs, the Lakers don’t have to hold back and can use their full power to take down the champs.

This year, unlike last time; they have a team that’s built up their chemistry together and they’re playing like a team with full confidence in their chances against anyone. Most important of all is that the roster is fully healthy and in eaning meaning that we’ll get the best version of LeBron and Davis in the playoffs.

Even so, the Denver Nuggets are the title favorites for a reason. Nikola Jokic is likely to win his third MVP and he’s the NBA’s best player right now with averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game on 58% shooting.

Between Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets have a well-balanced, star-studded roster that can compete with the likes of any team in the League. The Lakers may have more than a puncher’s chance to win the series thanks to their size, star power, and experience, but it will take a lot of things to go their way — and it will require near perfection from everyone in the rotation.