Moving up to eight was massive in the current Play-In Tournament format. The Lakers now have to lose two straight to be eliminated. If they win their first game, LA is the seventh seed. A loss followed by a win on Friday secures them the eighth seed. The teams in ninth and tenth must win two straight if they want to qualify for the playoffs and can only be the eighth seed.

LeBron and Anthony Davis were not letting the Lakers lose on Sunday afternoon. King James had a 28-point triple-double with five steals as AD led the way with 30 points. It was a total team effort. They raced out to a massive lead and never looked back. The victory set Los Angles up for the perfect Play-In Tournament, but the worst possible playoff matchup awaits

No franchise wants to be in the play-in, but consider this matchup a massive advantage for the Lakers. LeBron James and company dominated the Pelicans in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament and again to close the regular season. Both contests had a bit of extra juice and neither was close. LA won three of four meetings against New Orleans this season and seems to have all the answers against Zion Williamson and company.

The winner on Tuesday advances to the playoffs as the seventh seed and sets up a matchup against the team nobody wants to face in the Western Conference.