Western Conference Play-In preview

The Western Conference is one of the most loaded conferences in NBA history this season in terms of the winning percentage for every team in the playoffs and play-in.

The top 10 teams in the Western Conference are all at least 10 games above a .500 winning percentage.

This season, out of the few seasons in which the play-in has been in place, makes the most sense for a play-in because of the league's depth, especially in the Western Conference.

Now to the Western Conference play-in with the first round of games at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans

This game will decide the No. 7 seed in the West and features two teams that can compete with the best in the conference.

The Pelicans have figured some things out with their team, especially former first-overall pick Zion Williamson.

Over the season, Williamson averaged 22.9 points per game and has slowly turned into the player the Pelicans saw when they drafted him first overall.

The Lakers, on the other hand, have one of the greatest players of all time still on their team, LeBron James. However, the emergence of D’Angelo Russell has allowed this team to take the steps it needed to take.

Russell has emerged as a legit scorer on this team from right around the trade deadline. Rumors swirled that he may get shipped off, and he completely turned things around.

The winner of this game will take on the reigning NBA Champions, the Denver Nuggets.

The loser still has a chance to make the playoffs, but will take on the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game.

Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings

The winner of this game will take on the loser of Lakers vs. Pelicans for the No. 8 seed in the West.

These teams are on completely different levels in their franchise. The Kings have a ton of young talent and continue to develop the guys that they have. The Warriors are trying to keep their championship window open while also trying to get younger.

These teams have the same record and it is a rematch of last year's first-round playoff matchup that the Warriors won in a thrilling seven games.

The Warriors continue to be led by Stephen Curry, who continues to impress as he continues to get older. Curry, now 36 years old, is averaging 26.4 points per game while continuing to shoot over 40% from behind the arc.

The Kings have a great duo in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis who continue to play better the more they play together.

The loser of this game is out of contention, while the winner still has hope to get into the first round.

These games should be exciting, close matchups and a preview of how good the playoffs are going to be, especially on the Western side.

Andrew Deal is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email asd5765@psu.edu