Five Key Questions In The Denver Nuggets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers Playoff Rematch

[{"selector":"#anim-adac362b-71ec-4fa7-85d7-d8f75fce7680","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d78868c3-af76-4d04-82ef-f73c5cafa748","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.57534%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The playoffs tip off with a Nuggets-Lakers rematch from last year's Western Conference Finals.

[{"selector":"#anim-edb67cad-9e0a-480d-b5f5-9968f5aaddc8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fbcbba7c-1f04-4091-a7c3-846462d3c8f3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.30137%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] After defeating the Pelicans in the play-in, Lakers secure seventh seed

[{"selector":"#anim-862c4e77-047c-43b4-b99d-70bd84abe0bd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d13d3f0e-7f0d-457f-81c9-57269efcb5f5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.69231%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Coach Malone stresses the uniqueness of this series and the challenge it presents

[{"selector":"#anim-eb57cfe0-a126-4b43-9035-c7daeaa67913","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-247bf186-3bae-4137-abe0-b0f5a86bc906","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.57534%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Despite recent victories, Nuggets remain wary of Lakers' potential.

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[{"selector":"#anim-4941ae09-b257-4b15-a284-5b9d8e6a74a7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46213c82-b5d5-4db2-b93a-cd8fe4a74286","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.84931%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] As the series unfolds, key questions will shape the outcome for both teams