Should the Lakers lose the Play-In game vs. Pels on purpose to avoid playing against DEN in the 1st round?

[nomansland]

That would be stupid.

If they're going to face Denver, they want to do it earlier in the playoffs rather than later because the playoffs are going to take a physical toll as they go on.

[Calvin Klein]

it would be moronic to do that.

[Godymas]

no, the Lakers worked hard to get to a position where they are not in a do or die situation and they should 100% try and take advantage because if they are able to knock out Denver early then they are able to do damage in the entire West and become favorites to win.

[jkvonny]

Why limit it to one game? If you really want to avoid Denver, lose both! That way you're guaranteed not to face them.

This is true.

[OriginalRed]

Obviously not, but don't be surprised if you see the Lakers not dominate Tuesday's game the same way they did yesterday. They were playing hard to secure the 8th seed to control their destiny on Sunday, whereas this game their motivation will clearly not be the same. Sure, they'd prefer to play only one play-in game, but even if they lose, they still have another shot against GSW or SAC, which they'd obviously play much harder for since they'd get a favorable match up in round 1 against OKC.

Basically, I expect Tuesday's game to be more down to the wire.

[Frank Dux]

No that just puts loser stank all over your team.

[Joao Saraiva]

In a one game scenario anything can happen. Losing on purpose to put the season on the line against SAC or GSW is not very smart.

They can win against Denver. They lost 4-0 the last WCF but it's not like the games were all blowouts. Lakers were pretty much in them. With hot hands at the right time they might upset the Nuggets. I wouldn't put my money on it but it's not impossible.

[nomansland]

No. They should take out the Nuggets as early as the first round. That's their best chance to eliminate the favorites, instead of facing them deeper into the playoffs.

Yep, best chance to beat the Nuggets is before they get into high gear, this best chance is still very low chance, but it's better than meeting them in the conference finals, they also could use some days off to rest.

The longer they get to wait though the more games that Denver plays first, which is more chances for injury.
Jokic appears to be an iron man but murray and mpj are not.

MPJ played 81 games, ffs. I don't want to jinx things but the dude has been remarkably healthy this year. Murray, less so, but he also will play through injuries when necessary. The team kept Murray out this season perhaps more than necessary as well. Apparently he was begging Malone to let him play in that last game against Minnesota.

[Ein Sof]

IMO an even better strategy would be to throw both play-in games to avoid any scary teams in the playoffs

[John Murdoch]

Idk i just see them sweeping us again tbh especially with no vando but u dont duck them thats lame af . Sac has had our number anyways

[Fencer reregistered]

They probably should yeah. They won’t beat Denver but they’d have a shot against Okc imo. Of course doing that means you play an extra game against probably the Warriors and potentially miss the playoffs completely. And this would create a fun dilemma for the Pelicans who can choose to have the Lakers pick this year or next. Most think they will wait till next but maybe not if this years is in the lottery…

Didn't they already decide to roll the pick over?

[KembaWalker]

Absolutely, Lakers with the ridiculous differential and Warriors with the worst over the same time is all the league needs to justify the 25 ft difference they need to dig that game. You can go ahead and chalk that up as a free win. So they’re just getting free choice of OKC over Denver.. no brainer

[Hornet Mania]

Denver is obviously especially tough, but I don't see OKC as particularly easy pickings either. They're inexperienced but those young legs are also going to push Lebron and AD's stamina to the limit.

I say clinch a playoff spot if you can, don't take it for granted.

[IamBBAnalysis]

IMO an even better strategy would be to throw both play-in games to avoid any scary teams in the playoffs

This one made me laugh. Everyone talking about losing on purpose.

[Jcity08]

Theres no guarantee they will win in the next play-in game, always go for the win, its different when you clinch a playoff spot and purposefully lose to get a matchup you want. Things can go very wrong in the play-in format.

[OfficialRef]

They won't blow it but I won't be surprised if they lose due to a lack of effort. Beating NO for the 7th seed isn't do or die for them as they would still be massively favored against kings/GS

[AussieCeltic]

Well the Kings have had their number and Golden State can beat anyone in a 1 off game if they get super hot.

They’d be incredibly stupid to risk it

[mastermixer]

They probably should but there’s no way go through with that decision.

[Effigy]

They probably should yeah. They won’t beat Denver but they’d have a shot against Okc imo. Of course doing that means you play an extra game against probably the Warriors and potentially miss the playoffs completely. And this would create a fun dilemma for the Pelicans who can choose to have the Lakers pick this year or next. Most think they will wait till next but maybe not if this years is in the lottery…

Didn't they already decide to roll the pick over?

Maybe internally but I don’t think officially. Why would they do it without knowing what pick it is?