
The LA Lakers might be getting into the playoffs as soon as extra after ending because the third seed within the Western Convention. The Lakers face the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, who reached the Western Convention Finals final yr, within the first spherical.
Forward of the playoffs, longtime NBA analyst Invoice Simmons, a Boston Celtics superfan, has floated worries in regards to the Lakers’ playoff whistle benefits. On the Zach Lowe Present, Simmons believes the Lakers have an unfair benefit by way of getting extra calls, particularly in a playoff setting.
“You’re enjoying the Lakers in a playoff sequence. You’re simply not going to get as many calls as them. It’s only a truth,” Simmons mentioned of the Timberwolves’ probabilities towards LA. “(LeBron) and Luka are two of the toughest guys to officiate for various causes.” (from 1:09:32)
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The Lakers are third within the league in free throw makes an attempt per recreation, in keeping with NBA.com, taking pictures 23.2 makes an attempt per recreation, simply 0.1 proportion level shy of the highest spot. In addition they have a historical past of controversial video games, bannered by their 2022 Western Convention conquest towards the Sacramento Kings, which has been a subject of conspiracy theories amongst followers.
Nonetheless, the Lakers are anticipated to lean on their two superstars, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, two of the perfect all-around gamers within the league. James is averaging 24.4 factors, 7.8 rebounds and eight.2 assists this season, whereas Doncic is placing up 28.2 factors, 8.2 rebounds, and seven.7 assists per recreation for the Lakers.
In the meantime, the Timberwolves will depend on Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert to cease the Lakers.
Minnesota ought to irritate Luka Doncic to win sequence towards Lakers, suggests Invoice Simmons
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a tall activity forward of them as they give the impression of being to comprise Luka Doncic and LeBron James within the playoffs. For Invoice Simmons, on the Zach Low present, the way in which to cease Doncic in his tracks is to annoy him and make him agitated on the courtroom.
“If I used to be Minnesota … I might say, much less (Mike) Conley, and f**okay with Luka each recreation. Simply attempt to agitate him,” Simmons mentioned.
“I don’t imply to f**okay him, and he’s going to play badly. He will get caught up on it. He’s nonetheless not mature as a participant. He doesn’t like when individuals discuss again to him.” (from 1:10:06)
Doncic, when he was nonetheless with the Dallas Mavericks final yr, took down the Timberwolves within the Western Convention to achieve his first NBA Finals, the place they misplaced to the Boston Celtics.
As they meet as soon as extra this yr, the Timberwolves have an opportunity to avenge final season’s loss, albeit on Doncic’s new staff.