TIMBERWOLVES (42-40) VS. LAKERS (43-39)
FAIR & SQUARE
Even if the Lakers did respect hard work and continuity, which they apparently don't, the Timberwolves would still have a better roster. Lebron is no joke on offense but is a defensive liability. And watching AD play, I feel like he's constantly in pain but taking one for the team. Like he's still an exceptional player but isn't the AD of old. For instance, you never hear anyone saying he's one of the best centers in the game these days. And whereas the Lakers are now one of the deepest teams in the NBA, it isn't necessarily that the role players adequately complement a chuckin Lebron and a hobbled AD. Maybe it would be if, once again, they had continuity. But the way LAL rotates players in and out of the starting lineup, even the ones who have been around since the beginning of the season, is disheartening.
WHAT WILL THE NBA DO?
But they're probably still going to prevail against the Timberwolves away because, lucky for them, Minnesota has been experiencing all types of misfortunes of late. First was Naz Reid, who's an absolute beast, breaking his wrist. Then during the last game of the season Jaden McDaniels, another important and effective player off the Minnesota bench, broke his own hand punching a wall, which ain't something you hear everyday. And then, lo and behold, the one T-wolves opponent the Lakers would have to worry about most, Rudy Gobert, decides to punch his own teammate, even though doing so would undoubtedly result in him getting suspended, you know, right before his team is about to play the most-important game of their entire season.
So I personally believe the script for this one has already been written. The Timberwolves, imo, weren't favored during last season's playoffs, and they aren't favored now. The Lakers, at or near full strength, barely beat the tanking Jazz the other night. So in my mind there's really no way they could beat a healthy Minnesota squad at full strength in such a critical game. But the Timberwolves are down three key players, i.e. a starter and two regular-rotation guys, so we will likely witness LAL getting their asses bust by Memphis in the First Round instead.
THUNDER (40-42) VS. PELICANS (42-40)
FAIR & SQUARE
I believe that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Brandon Ingram will end up counteracting each other, even though the former tends to have a greater impact on games, especially close ones, overall. So then, it's up to the other players to decide who wins this game, and I think New Orleans has the edge there, especially if McCollum plays.
You can argue that if Zion were playing it would be no contest, but he and Ingram don't play particular well together anyway, and if the Pelicans were smart they'd trade Zion and get another star or two who's healthy and actually complements Brandon's skillset.
WHAT WILL THE NBA DO?
I can imagine that the NBA would be more inclined to have SAG and Josh Giddey in the playoffs than the Pelicans, and I wouldn't be surprised if OKC even give the Nuggets a run for their money, even in a seven-game series. But the Pelicans made it out of the play-ins last season and can probably do so again. Or at least that's what I believe, that they're a better all-around team than OKC, though again with Shai, miracles are possible.
CONCLUSION
I can understand how the NBA is favoring Lebron again. He just broke Kareem's record, which is the biggest (American) sports' story of the year, and also these days he doesn't make as many political statements as a couple of years ago. But it's going to be sad when the Lakers run into a really good, healthy team, unless they're really expecting the likes of Malik Beasley and D'Angelo Russell to win a series for them.
And personally I think OKC would stand a better chance against Denver, but it's hard for me to imagine them beating the Pelicans, which is a deceptively-deep squad.
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