Despite all the conundrums throughout their 2022-23 campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers have won their first game of the post-season against the #2 seed of the Western Conference. LeBron James’ side was mighty impressive in Game 1 against the Grizzlies.
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Five of their players put up 19 points or more in the Purple and Gold team’s 128-112 win. And what was most impressive about the win was their two younger stars led the team in scoring.
25-year-old Rui Hachimura led the bunch with 29 points, while Austin Reaves came up with a 23-3-4 performance. James and Anthony Davis showed the best of their two-way games.
As a team, they were so good, that the franchise legend Magic Johnson is positive, this team is going all the way to win it all.
Magic Johnson makes a prediction that would boost LeBron James and Co’s morale heavily
After James’ 21 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks and AD’s 23-12-3 along with 3 steals and 7 blocks the Lakers cruised past Ja Morant’s side.
It’s only one game in the series and their first game of the Playoffs, and Magic Johnson is convinced, they are going to go through the West if they continue playing like this.
“If the Lakers continue to play like this, they can beat Memphis and anybody else in the West,” Johnson tweeted.
If the @Lakers continue to play like this, they can beat Memphis and anybody else in the West!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 16, 2023
One would say that’s optimism and a little biased because Johnson is a Laker for life. But the man has some point, given the fact that the Clippers upset the Suns in their Game 1.
How can the Lakers win it all?
The Suns are the favorites to win the West. However, if the Clippers beat them and go on to win the second round as well, and likewise if the Lakers blow past the Grizzlies and whoever is the winner between the Kings and the Warriors, it’ll be LeBron vs. Kawhi.
And the Lakers would be the favorite in that match-up whatever they have done in the regular season. If it all pans out this way, the Lakers would have their best shot at reaching the Finals.
However, it will all depend on how Davis recovers from his shoulder issue and the availability of all the Lakers players throughout the postseason because each of them who started Game 1 is crucial in their bid to win it all.
