2. The Los Angeles Lakers
Depending on how the rest of the regular season pans out, the Kings could meet the Lakers in the play-in tournament. Facing LeBron James, who desperately wants to play at the highest level, is never a welcome sight, but the Kings have dominated the matchup all season long.
Domantas Sabonis plays incredibly well every time he meets Anthony Davis—by now he is 10-0 against the Lakers’ big man over his career, making this year’s All-Star decision look like a joke—and the Lakers often struggle to guard De’Aaron Fox. This is an incredibly unlikely first-round matchup at this point in the season, and the Kings desperately want to avoid the play-in, but if it came down to it, Sacramento could win this matchup in a single-elimination game.
The last time they beat the Lakers, Sabonis absolutely dominated the paint, Harrison Barnes made 7 threes, and most of the Kings’ perimeter players were incredibly active defensively. That is what the Kings need to carry into the postseason to stand a chance.
The Lakers’ season has not gone according to plan, and Sacramento has played well against them, but they can’t take this matchup lightly in any scenario. Nevertheless, it seems like one of the more favorable matchups, especially if the Kings come out playing well on both ends of the floor.