The Western Conference play-in participants are set and the games are expected to produce fireworks in the upcoming days. Some notable big names didn’t make it but the games are full of notable stars in the league which includes the Los Angeles Lakers duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. We will take a quick dive in all their regular season matchups and predict the winners who will secure the 7th and 8th seed in this year’s postseason.

Los Angeles Lakers (7) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (8):

These two teams played three times this season with the Timberwolves winning two games over the Lakers. But when fully healthy, the Lakers are much superior than Minnesota and most analysts predict that they will win and secure the 7th seed in the west. It also doesn’t help that Minnesota is currently dealing with internal affairs among their players. Rudy Gobert could be suspended by the team for punching Kyle Anderson, but the Wolves are keeping things under the wraps.

Prediction: Lakers will secure the 7th seed

New Orleans Pelicans (9) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (10)

These two young teams faced each other four times this season with the Pelicans winning three games against OKC. Zion Williamson will continue to skip the game due to an injury but the Pelicans have been playing great lately, especially with Brandon Ingram reverting back in all-star form. If Zion had stayed healthy all season, this team is probably on the upper echelon in the west. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will lead OKC’s attack but he could potentially struggle in their play-in game as the Pelicans have a plethora of versatile forwards they could throw at him to disrupt his game. The Thunder need other players to step up in order to have a chance but there’s no way that the much more experienced Pelicans will lose this game.

Prediction: Pelicans end OKC’s season 

Minnesota Timberwolves (8) vs New Orleans Pelicans (9):

The Wolves and the Pelicans have played against each other three times this season. Minnesota won the last two contests by an average margin of 7 points. If the Wolves can contain Pelicans star Brandon Ingram, then securing the 8th seed would become a reality for them. The Pelicans will definitely miss Zion’s presence in this game as he could easily put pressure on Minnesota with his attack at the rim. The Wolves just got back Karl Anthony-Towns and it’s really hard to bet against a healthy team in this circumstance.

Prediction: Wolves will secure 8th seed in the west

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