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As the Western Conference is particularly raised, the posters of the first round have the air of the conference and this series between the Lakers and Wolveswhich are held in just one game apart, is no exception to the rule.
A confrontation that marks, in particular, the reunion between Minnesota et… Luka Doncic. Dallas past at Los Angeles In February, the Slovenian found a franchise that he loved martyrizing a year ago during the conference final won by his Mavericks. Rudy Gobert still remembers and we imagine that Anthony Edwards Already can't wait to take revenge too, in what is likely to be like a real tactical battle between the novice JJ Redick and Chris Finch…
The fact remains that Luka Doncic will not be the only one to live hard in Minny in this series and LeBron Jamesfor his 18th Playoff campaign, will obviously be keen to shine, since the clock inevitably turns and he will no longer have a lot to compete to hoping his fifth title. Five years after the last and a year after seeing the Celtics regain the advantage in the most successful franchises.
Presentation of Lakers
Holders : L. Doncic, A. Reaves, R. Hachimura, L. James, J. Hayes
Replacements : D. Finney-Smith, G. Vincent, J. Vanderbilt, D. Knecht, J. Goodwin, S. Milton, M. Kleber, M. Morris, A. Len, B. James…
The coach : J. Redick
Exit Anthony Davis, make way for Luka Doncic: a change of scale will have marked the season of these Lakers, not yet constructed optimally, but who quickly understood how to play under JJ Redick to offer the opportunity to play the leading roles this year. LeBron James is still stainless, Austin Reaves has the fabric of an All-Star, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith bring versatility and physical density for “Small-Ball”, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt no longer squat the infirmary, Dalton Knecht and Jordan Goodwin surprise, Jaxson Hayes In solidity … What if it went to the end?
The strong point
– L’axe Luka Doncic – LeBron James. With two tactical geniuses and two of the best “performers” playoff “in history, Lakers can move forward serenely, especially since the workforce around them is not necessarily incompatible with their qualities. In line with JJ Redick, rested for a week and 100% physically – or far from being – after small sores, we can't wait to see how far this group, which is gaining momentum. Just as one wonders, despite their defensive generosity, how they will dissect the defense of the Wolves of the other. Especially in the “money-time”.
The weak point
– The racket. Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers lost big inside, but that was the price to pay to get Luka Doncic. While waiting to make changes during the summer, we will have to tinker in these playoffs and JJ Redick can count on the progress of Jaxson Hayes, whose profile is not unsuitable for Doncic, as well as Jarred Vanderbilt, finally in good health. But it is above all the “Small-Ball” which is favored by Los Angeles, with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura who convey to post 5 in this configuration. Table for duration against Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid? Not so sure …
Presentation of Timberwolves
Holders : M. Conley, A. Edwards, Jad. McDaniels, J. Randle, R. Gobert
Replacements : N. Reid, N. Alexander-Walker, D. Divincenzo, R. Dillingham, J. Clark, L. Miller, J. Ingles, J. Minott, L. Garza, T. Shannon Jr…
The coach : C. Finch
With Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo in place of Karl-Anthony Towns and Kyle Anderson, the Wolves regressed on the collective level in the wake of their conference final, from 56 to 49 victories and from 3rd to 6th place to the west. Apart from these two changes, the group of Chris Finch is generally identical to last season and it will now be interesting to note if last summer adjustments paid. With 12 victories in 17 games, Minnesota arrives in any case on a good dynamic and ready to cut heads in his conference, even without having the advantage of the field.
The strong point
– The physical dimension. A priori, Chris Finch should rely on a rotation at 8 or 9 in these playoffs and we can say that, physically speaking, the Wolves have very little equal in the league. Between Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, Naz Reid or Jaylen Clark, it is a particularly solid and hard workforce. Defense is certainly less hermetic than a year ago, but it remains qualitative and, on a series, it can exhaust a packet of teams. Including the Lakers, less supplied at this level.
The weak point
– The job of leader. We could have talked about the doubts surrounding the interiors of the Wolves in the face of the “small-ball” of the, but we mainly have fears concerning the leader of the team. Because Mike Conley, 37, risks suffering a lot in defense against players who all make him several centimeters, and faced with which he will lack speed. His Qi Basket can compensate, but he could be “beneaded” in hot moments. Precisely one of Minnesota's weaknesses, in difficulty in these so -called “clutch” situations, with the absence of a general to put the systems in place. Giving rise to “hero ball” to excess …
The keys to the series
– Los Angeles' Small-Ball-Bay or Minnesota's “Tall-Ball” ? A year ago, Luka Donnteic had fun against the interiors of the Wolves in the conference final. But this time, he no longer had Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, but simply Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt. Clearly, the Rudy Gobert-Julius Randle-Naz Reid triplet must take control of the painting on the series, but the Lakers are likely to respond by stretching the game as much as possible with Dorian Finney-Smith to get the big ones out of Minny. A real tactical battle is coming and this first round may be decided here.
– What an impact for Anthony Edwards ? More physical and/or faster than any of the Californian defenders, Anthony Edwards will have plenty of time to feast on this team of Lakers. Except that this season, he was not the most comfortable in front of them, with only 19 points on average and 40% address. Needless to say, by reiterating such performances, the Wolves will have no chance in this series. But for three years, the “Ant-man” of the regular season (24.9 points) has nothing to do with the “Ant-Man” of the Playoffs (27.8 points) and that suggests good for Minnesota. Whatever its vis-à-vis.
Regular season
Equality 2-2
– October 22: Los Angeles – Minnesota (110-103)
– December 2: Minnesota -Los Angeles (109-80)
– December 13: Minnesota -Los Angeles (97-87)
– February 27: Los Angeles – Minnesota (111-102)
VERDICT
Los Angeles 4-3. Many are already crying for “the upset” when they see the state of form of the wolves and how armed they are inside, in comparison with the Lakers. But it would be to forget that the “Purple & Gold” have in Luka Dovi and LeBron James two players capable of exploiting their weaknesses wonderfully. Namely the friability of their interiors in the face of “Small-Ball-ball” and the “pick-and-roll”, as well as the management of key moments. So yes, Anthony Edwards should feast on his vis-à-vis, but between the disadvantage of the terrain and the absence of a real lieutenant, Minnesota is considered too short over time.
CALENDAR
Game 1 : In Los Angeles, Saturday April 19 (2:30 am, on the night of Saturday to Sunday)
Game 2 : In Los Angeles, Tuesday April 22 (4 a.m., on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday)
Game 3 : in Minneapolis, Friday April 25 (3:30 am, on the night of Friday to Saturday)
Game 4 : in Minneapolis, Sunday April 27 (9:30 p.m.)
Game 5* : In Los Angeles, Wednesday April 30
Game 6* : to Minneapolis, Selled 2 Never
Game 7* : In Los Angeles, Sunday May 4
* If necessary.
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