(8) Los Angeles Lakers at (7) New Orleans Pelicans
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA playoffs begin Tuesday night with the New Orleans Pelicans playing host to the Los Angeles Lakers. These two teams met on the final day of the regular season, with the Lakers thumping the Pels by 16 points to secure the No. 8 seed — while also costing New Orleans the 6-seed. The Lakers won the regular season series 3-1 and scored 129+ points in all three victories. It will be tough to beat the Pels twice in a row on their home court, but the Lakers have to be feeling pretty good about themselves entering Tuesday. The winner will take on Denver in the first round.
