In the highly anticipated NBA play-in tournament, excitement is building as analysts make their predictions for the upcoming matchups in the Western Conference. With the Lakers set to face the Pelicans and the Kings going head-to-head with the Warriors, experts weigh in on who they believe will come out on top.

When it comes to the Lakers versus Pelicans showdown, Vincent Goodwill predicts a Lakers victory. Goodwill highlights that whenever the Pelicans have faced the Lakers in high-stakes games, Zion Williamson and his teammates have struggled to perform. Goodwill doubts the Pelicans' ability to overcome the Lakers, who are known for their physicality and the formidable presence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

On the other hand, Tom Haberstroh offers a differing opinion, favoring the Pelicans. Haberstroh believes that the Pelicans will benefit from being at home and having a complete lineup for the game. He sees this as an opportunity for the Pelicans to prove themselves and capitalize on the support of their home crowd.

Adding to the debate, Ben Rohrbach leans towards the Lakers, emphasizing their dominance over the Pelicans in previous encounters, particularly in crucial games. Rohrbach highlights the advantage of having LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers' side, which he believes will be a deciding factor in their victory.

Turning to the Kings versus Warriors matchup, Rohrbach and Goodwill both predict a Warriors win. Rohrbach acknowledges the Warriors' championship pedigree and highlights the absence of key players, Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, which he believes will hinder the Kings' performance. Goodwill echoes this sentiment and emphasizes the Kings' inability to counter the Warriors' defensive strategies from their previous playoff series.

The experts acknowledge the significance of these matchups, as they determine which teams will advance to the first round. When discussing the Lakers' chances of progressing, Rohrbach expresses belief in their potential, particularly if they face the eighth seed. He recognizes that LeBron James and Anthony Davis provide the Lakers with a fighting chance against any opponent, including the second-seeded Denver Nuggets, who are the defending champions.

Haberstroh identifies the Warriors as having the best chance of advancing to the first round. With their strong performance over the past month, Haberstroh believes they are ready to revive the "We Believe Warriors" spirit in a matchup against the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder, citing a potential experience gap.

Goodwill also acknowledges the Lakers' chances if they face the Thunder, emphasizing the advantage of experience against a young team. However, he notes that the Warriors have struggled against the Thunder in their previous encounters, and both teams should not be underestimated, as they have earned their place in the play-in tournament.

As the NBA play-in tournament approaches, fans eagerly await the outcome of these thrilling matchups. Will the Lakers overpower the Pelicans, and can the Warriors outshine the Kings? Only time will tell which teams will emerge victorious and move on to the next round of the playoffs.