Following Wednesday night’s win over the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers are the third seed in the Western Conference.
If they keep playing well, they have a shot at claiming the second seed before the start of the playoffs next month.
Speaking on “First Take,” Jay Williams urged the Lakers to get that second seed and avoid two teams: the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
“I am avoiding OKC at all costs until we get to the Western Conference finals. … I’m trying to avoid [Denver] too,” Williams said.
He said that he would do whatever is necessary to stay away from those two teams until they are unavoidable, and he’s not the only one thinking that way.
"I am avoiding OKC at all costs until we get to the Western Conference finals. … I'm trying to avoid [Denver] too." 😯
—@RealJayWilliams on why the Lakers should go for the No. 2 seed in the West 👀 pic.twitter.com/AA21ZhoXzc
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 20, 2025
The Lakers scored another win against the Nuggets on Wednesday, which means they have defeated that team with and without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray this season.
The Lakers are clearly playing better against that team than before, but the Nuggets are still a true threat and LA should be concerned.
As for the Thunder, they are the best team in the West and all other squads are trying to stay away from them as long as possible in the playoffs.
Williams’ best-case scenario for the Lakers is that they get the second seed and the Thunder and Nuggets eventually battle it out.
The Lakers can then take on the winner of that series.
At this point in the season, the Lakers and all other teams are getting strategic about how they are playing and their playoff plans.
This postseason is going to be very competitive and players, coaches, and fans are preparing for that.
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