In the same way the Lakers respect the Nuggets, the defending champions are certainly not overlooking Los Angeles. Nikola Jokic has been clear that any previous matchups against this team mean nothing when it comes to how this series will play out, and his teammates also understand that this is a clean slate for both teams.

The Lakers beat New Orleans in Tuesday's play-in to earn the No. 7 seed in the West. Their prize? Another date with defending champion Denver.

Although the Lakers have lost the last eight games against the Nuggets, they’re looking forward to the challenge in another playoff series.

The defending champion Nuggets come into the playoffs on a roll, and its experienced core could be too much for the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers held off a fourth-quarter charge from the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night to win the Western Conference 7 vs. 8 Play-In Game, 110-106. With their victory, the Lakers secured the No.

Coming into Tuesday's play-in tournament game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, some said the Lakers should've tanked the contest in order to get a more favorable first-round playoff matchup.