Derek Fisher weighs in on Lakers vs. Nuggets first-round series / News - Basketnews.com

Former Los Angeles Laker and NBA champion Derek Fisher shared his insights on the first-round matchup between the Lakers and Denver Nuggets. Fisher believes this season's series can't be based on last year's results.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect - Scanpix

The Los Angeles Lakers secured the 7th seed in the West playoffs after beating the New Orleans Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament.

Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule

Memphis Grizzlies Los Angeles Lakers120-123 New Orleans Pelicans Los Angeles Lakers108-124 New Orleans Pelicans Los Angeles Lakers106-110 Denver Nuggets Los Angeles LakersSun00:30 Denver Nuggets Los Angeles LakersTue02:00

The Lakers will now prepare for the postseason and shift their focus to the second-seeded Denver Nuggets.

Former Laker and NBA champion Derek Fisher, who is currently in the Philippines for an NBA-initiated coaching clinic, gave his insights on how the Lakers will fare against the defending champions.

"I think in the last month and a half—other than a couple games that Anthony Davis missed due to the eye injury—I don't know if anybody record-wise has been better than what the Lakers have been in recent weeks," Fisher told reporters.

"Their chances against the Nuggets, we have to see, I guess. We can't base it on last year's results, I know that. I do believe that just like the Lakers are a little bit different than they were last year, I think the Nuggets are also slightly different [this year] in personnel. They have some young guys that they're going to be relying on this year that were not the guys they had to rely on last year."

LeBron James Nikola JokicCredit AP-Scanpix

The two teams met in the Western Conference Finals in 2020. LA won that series 4-1 and went on to win the title. Last season, they faced off again in the West Finals, with Denver sweeping the Lakers and eventually winning the 2023 championship.

Like many fans, Fisher is looking forward to watching how the series will unfold.

"Obviously, I'm biased — I want the Lakers to be successful, of course. But the best part about it is we're gonna get to see. And regardless of what we think, they'll play Saturday or Sunday. And I do expect it to be a great series."

Lakers vs. Nuggets series schedule

Game Date Away Home Time, ET TV 1. April 20 Los Angeles Lakers Denver Nuggets 8:30 p.m. ABC 2. April 22 Los Angeles Lakers Denver Nuggets 10 p.m. TNT 3. April 25 Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Lakers 10 p.m. TNT 4. April 27 Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Lakers 8:30 p.m. ABC 5. April 29* Los Angeles Lakers Denver Nuggets TBD TBD 6. May 2* Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Lakers TBD TBD 7. May 4* Los Angeles Lakers Denver Nuggets TBD TNT

* if necessarily

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