FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1 No Fake Show

Before the Lakers’ play- in matchup at New Orleans, a few L. A. media members suggested the team should throw the game in order to avoid a first- round matchup with the Nuggets. Unsurprisingly, that idea was emphatically rejected in the Lakers locker room. After taking down the Pelicans to clinch a playoff rematch, forward Anthony David declared they are “not ducking the smoke.” Head c oach Darvin Ham c astigated the “insane asylum s ources” who dared suggest such a scheme. And Lebron James declared, “It’s about just winning.” While the Lakers might not be afraid, one thing is crystal clear: The Nuggets are living rent- free in Lakers Nation’s heads.

2 One- sided rivalry

Of course, the Southland has good reason to want no part of the Nuggets. The main one: The defending champs are going on eight straight wins against the Lakers, including all three of this year’s regular- season matchups, last spring’s four- game sweep in the Western Conference Finals and a 122109 home win in early January 2023. This year’s defeats have been especially troublesome for the Lakeshow, given that two came in L. A. on the nights Kobe Bryant’s statue was unveiled a nd L ebron James passed 40,000 career points. As for the third? That was Ring Night at Ball Arena.

3 Monitoring Jamal

The one dark cloud looming over Denver’s title defense: Jamal Murray’s health. The veteran guard missed seven straight games near the end of the regular season and 23 total this season due to multiple leg injuries. The Nuggets were 13- 10 in those games, underscoring a reality already made clear the two previous postseasons when he was sidelined by an ACL tear: The Nuggets need Murray to win a title. He’s been as good as ever this season with career- high averages in points ( 21.2) and a ssists ( 6.5), and careerbest shooting numbers ( 48.1% overall, 42.5% from 3). Asked about Murray’s availability earlier this week, head coach Michael Malone expressed little worry: “Jamal is a warrior; he’ll be ready to go.”

4 Marking D- Lo

Last spring, Lakers guard D’angelo Russell got played off the floor in the conference finals. A year later, he was L. A.’ s savior against New Orleans in the play- in round with five 3s, including a corner 3 in the waning minutes that all but sealed the win. The performance continued what’s been something of a renaissance season for Russell, who shot a career- best 41.5% from 3 while averaging 18.0 points and 6.3 assists. If the Nuggets are going to blitz the Lakers’ screens as they’ve done in the past, this much is known: They cannot afford to leave Russell unattended.

5 Bench rotation

Nuggets coach Michael Malone has been predictable with his substitution patterns throughout the second half of the season, with Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Reggie Jackson and Justin Holiday regular contributors. Starters’ minutes almost always rise in the postseason, however, leading to shrinking opportunities for the reserves. That was the case last year for Malone, who often limited himself to three subs. If that’s the case again, who’s the odd man out?