The team that could make a Lakers - Warriors first round playoff

Stephen Curry and LeBron James have been two of the brightest stars of the 2010s and 2020s. They are also two of the most veteran players in the league. Despite being at the end of their careers, they have a rivalry that is incomparable. It is the most popular duel. Fans love to see them face off. With a little help from the Houston Rockets, these two could be heading for an epic first-round showdown in this year's playoffs.

As things stand on April 4th, the Warriors and the Lakers would play in the first round of the playoffs as the fourth against the fifth seed. The Lakers have a one-game advantage over the fourth seed, but they are also half a game behind the third. The race for the playoffs in the West could be tight, as the difference between the third seed and the seventh is only two games. The Rockets, at this moment, are securely in the second position.

However, looking at the standings and the remaining schedule, it is evident that one team will have a significant impact on the standings and a possible matchup between Steph and LeBron in the first round. The Rockets have five games left to finish the season. Four of them are against the Nuggets, the Warriors, the Lakers, and the Clippers.

Among the Lakers, Warriors, Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves, Minnesota has the easiest schedule. The Warriors have the most home games, with four. The Lakers have to play twice against the Thunder, both away. The Lakers have their matchup against the Warriors, while the Warriors will face the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves.

Lakers - Warriors, the most marketed duel

When the Warriors and the Lakers played on Christmas Day this season, it was the most-watched game in five years. Before the trade deadline, the Warriors were almost out of the play-in, and the Lakers were fighting to escape the play-in. Now, both teams are on course to potentially face each other in meaningful and high-reward games in the first round of the playoffs.

The rivalry between Steph and LeBron has left a mark on the league for over a decade. They faced each other in four consecutive Finals in the 2010s, with Steph winning three of them. In total, they have competed in 56 games, 28 of which were in the playoffs. Steph has the advantage in playoff victories, 17 to 11, while LeBron has more success in the regular season, 14-13. The King has also won a series.

Fans surely remember the epic game from a few years ago. It was the first time the NBA introduced the concept, with the Lakers and the Warriors facing off. Steph scored 37 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. LeBron, however, had the upper hand with a triple-double of 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Who wouldn't want to see a seven-game series between these two, right? The last time they met was in the 2023 second round, with LeBron and the Lakers winning the series in six games.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El equipo que podría hacer que haya un Lakers - Warriors en primera ronda de playoffs