LeBron James reacts to Lakers Play-In matchup vs. Pelicans / News - Basketnews.com

LeBron James said that the upcoming NBA Play-In Tournament game vs. Pelicans will be extremely difficult.

Credit: AP Photo/Etienne Laurent - Scanpix Credit AP Photo/Etienne Laurent - Scanpix

The Los Angeles Lakers ended up as the 8th seed in the West after beating the New Orleans Pelicans, 124-108.

Player of the Game EFF 49 LeBron James Points 28 Accuracy 11-20 Rebounds 11 Assists 17

The Lakers also clinched a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament where they will also face the Pelicans, who hold the 7th spot.

Pivotal in the LA's win was none other than superstar LeBron James.

The 39-year-old James logged a triple-double—his fifth of the season—with 28 points, 17 assists, and 11 rebounds. He also had 5 steals.

"I just read the game and I was just finding my teammates and I just tried to put the ball on time and on target for either jump shots or guys at the rim. I just tried to be very efficient with my play," said James, who also had to guard Zion Williamson, limiting the Pelicans' explosive star to just 12 points.

LeBron JamesCredit AP – Scanpix

Despite getting the win, James knows the Lakers face a daunting challenge in the Play-In Tournament against the same New Orleans team who will be out for revenge.

"Tuesday's game is going to be extremely hard, extremely difficult, extremely physical," James said.

"I've always known that when you play a playoff series -- and I look at this like a two-game playoff series -- if you win that first game, a team has multiple days to kind of sit on that feeling, or sit with that taste in their mouth of defeat. So they're going to be extremely ready for us and we have to come in with the same sense of urgency that we had the previous game."

The winner of the play-in game between the Lakers and Pelicans will go up against the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

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