Lakers eager for playoffs rematch against Nuggets

NEW ORLEANS — Despite the New Orleans Pelicans’ late comeback attempt, the Lakers held on to beat the Pelicans 110-106 in Tuesday’s Play-In Tournament game to clinch the No. 7 seed and their spot in the playoffs. Their reward: a first-round matchup against the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets – the defending NBA champions that swept the Lakers, 4-0, in last spring’s Western Conference finals. Even before they beat the Pelicans, few people outside of the Lakers’ organization gave them a chance to beat the Nuggets in a playoff series....