Michael Malone reminds the Lakers of their playoff sweep last year.

Securing the 7th seed with a win over the Pelicans on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers set up a first-round clash against defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. Looking ahead to the series, Nuggets coach Michael Malone offered candid insight into his team’s mindset.

“We swept them last year. We swept them this year,” remarked Malone via Harrison Wind. “They come in playing really well and hungry. They want to flip that script. Our players understand that.”

Despite the formidable presence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Nuggets feel prepared to handle the Lakers. With Nikola Jokic consistently performing at his peak against them, the Nuggets boast a balanced roster well-equipped to challenge the Lakers, drawing from their previous playoff encounters.

“We know them, they know us,” stated Malone. “We know what to expect.”

The Nuggets’ recent dominance over the Lakers extends beyond their previous playoff series sweep. The Lakers have suffered nine consecutive losses against Denver, with the Nuggets emerging victorious by double-digit margins in their last three encounters. This challenging matchup has even prompted LeBron James to acknowledge the Nuggets’ prowess.

For the Lakers, facing the Nuggets in the first round presents a significant hurdle in their postseason aspirations. Despite their efforts to secure a deep playoff run, stopping Nikola Jokic poses a formidable challenge, potentially jeopardizing the Lakers’ advancement.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets, led by Jokic, hosted a watch party to monitor their potential playoff opponents, highlighting their unity and readiness for the postseason battle ahead. Embracing the challenge, Denver remains unfazed by their playoff prospects, confident in their ability to overcome LeBron James and the Lakers once again.

Of course, while some teams actively try to avoid certain matchups, the Nuggets are content to face whoever is in front of them. As the defending NBA champions, the Nuggets are above trying to manipulate their first-round opponents. With Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. leading the way, Denver is feeling no stress about their playoff chances and they are feeling good about their odds against the Lakers.

With the size, talent, and star power to answer everything the Lakers throw at them, the Nuggets know what they can do and they are embracing the challenge that comes with beating LeBron James and the Lakers for the second straight year.