The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference quite awhile ago, but they will have to wait a little longer to find out who they will face in the first round of the playoffs.
The race for the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in the West is getting crazy, with four teams vying for just two spots.
One of those teams is the Portland Trail Blazers, who jumped into the No. 8 spot after defeating the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, thanks in part to Damian Lillard who went red-hot against the Mavs.
Lillard tied a career high with 61 points, also chipping in eight assists and five rebounds. It marked the second consecutive game in which Lillard had at least 50 points after he scored 51 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
The Trail Blazers are 5-2 in Orlando, and there is a real chance they could emerge as the No. 8 seed.
Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma reacted to the possibility of facing Portland in the first round, suggesting the Trail Blazers would make for a good test. However, Kuzma said that facing Lillard and Co. is not the “worst-case scenario.”
Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma on potentially seeing Portland in the first round: “Anytime you can get tested in the playoffs, it will help in future rounds.”
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) August 12, 2020
Kyle Kuzma said if the Trail Blazers make the playoffs, it would be a challenge for the Lakers but not "worst-case scenario."
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) August 12, 2020
Kuzma has exuded confidence in the last few days after his game-winner for the Lakers against the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
The former first-round pick said after the Nuggets game he would “probably still shoot” with Jesus guarding him, and he is clearly confident his Lakers can take on all comers.
Kuzma did make sure to give Lillard his props, however.
Kyle Kuzma was asked for his all-bubble team. he starts with: Damian Lillard (and MVP if Portland makes the playoffs) Devin Booker, TJ Warren and Luka Doncic. Gets stuck on the 5th and asks @mcten who he’s got. Dave said Harden and Kuzma went with that.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) August 12, 2020
Portland still has work to do in order to get a shot at the Lakers.
A win on Thursday night against the Brooklyn Nets would ensure the Trail Blazers get the No. 8 seed, meaning they would need just one win in a play-in series to advance to the standard playoff bracket.
However, a loss could potentially drop them out of contention if both the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs win their respective matchups.
Regardless, Kuzma does not seem fazed by facing the red-hot Lillard and a Portland squad that is finally healthy.
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