The Lakers will try to hold their rhythm, or their “cadence,” as coach Frank Vogel known as it, whereas they take 5 days off earlier than enjoying within the Western Convention finals opener.

They’ve been down this highway earlier than — when the Lakers dispatched the Portland Path Blazers in 5 video games within the first spherical and needed to wait six days earlier than enjoying the Houston Rockets, who beat the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in a seven-game sequence. The Lakers misplaced Sport 1 to the Rockets however received the following 4 within the second spherical.

Now the Lakers await the winner of the tense sequence between the Clippers and Denver Nuggets that’s tied at 3-Three and will probably be decided Tuesday night time.

The Lakers practiced Monday, may have Tuesday off, after which will apply Wednesday and Thursday to arrange for the opponent they may face starting Friday night time on the ESPN Vast World of Sports activities Complicated.

“It’s positively a problem, there’s little question about that,” Vogel stated throughout a videoconference Monday. “And the message with our group as we speak is: You’re both getting higher otherwise you’re getting worse. And we not solely wish to keep sharp, we wish to get higher each time we step on the basketball court docket. In order that’s acquired to be your focus. However on the identical time, you’re simply making an attempt to get in sufficient work to remain in rhythm, hold your conditioning, however nonetheless benefit from relaxation.

“We’re going to have a plan this week of making an attempt to remain within the cadence of enjoying each different day, so we had a dwell apply as we speak, off tomorrow, dwell apply Wednesday, after which Thursday’s apply will probably be a no-contact apply. Simply preparation-oriented. So simply making an attempt to maintain that cadence and, once more, handle the day without work to remain in form and keep in rhythm.”

The Clippers took a 3-1 lead within the best-of-seven sequence over the Nuggets, and it regarded as if a showdown between the 2 Los Angeles groups was sure. However then the Nuggets overcame massive deficits to win two in a row and the Lakers determined to simply work on their very own recreation.

“Whoever wins, wins. And we’ll be prepared for each,” Vogel stated. “Clearly, when there was a 3-1 lead, you begin taking a look at … not less than my assistant coaches began wanting on the Clippers extra, making ready for them as a result of they have been nearer to the end line. However clearly we’re making ready for each groups the entire manner by way of. And you recognize, I don’t get pissed off. Each time the outcomes are available in, we’ll be able to go.”

Lakers guard Alex Caruso used Sunday to take a psychological break — enjoying golf along with his mother and father in addition to watching some NFL video games and Sport 6 between the Clippers and Nuggets.

Caruso stated he has been impressed with the “struggle that Denver exhibits.”

“[The Nuggets] have been down 3-1 the primary sequence, and all people counted ’em out. They received three in a row. They have been down 3-1 on this sequence, [and] I feel all people counted ’em out and right here they’re once more, forcing a Sport 7,” Caruso stated throughout a videoconference. “It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how they reply, but it surely’s an enormous emotional in addition to bodily process to return again from that many video games down. I’m wanting ahead to it.

“Clearly, whoever we play goes to be a very good staff enjoying nicely as a result of they’ve needed to beat some good individuals to get there. So far as us being prepared, I feel we have been a bit higher within the first recreation in opposition to Houston than we have been in opposition to Portland, and hopefully that would be the identical step, take a bit step additional of popping out.”