TEAM RECORDS: Los Angeles Lakers (41-25) vs Denver Nuggets (38-28)
SEASON SERIES: Los Angeles Lakers (3-1)
RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: Los Angeles Lakers (6-4) vs Denver Nuggets (8-2)
KEY MATCHUP: Andrew Bynum vs Javale McGee
PREVIEW
It’s now time to see if Lakers coach Mike Brown can channel his inner Phil Jackson and take Los Angeles to the promise land like his predecessor did.
Ditto Ramon Sessions. The makeup of this Lakers team is far different then what we’re accustomed to seeing in the postseason. Brown is the coach, Sessions is the starting point guard, Lamar Odom is out of town and now Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) will miss at least the first 6 games of the series.
What hasn’t changed is the focal point of the offense. This team runs on the scoring of their big three (Kobe, Bynum and Gasol).
Kobe will get his shots, but the offensive attack of the Lakers will more than likely go through the paint. Denver’s big men (McGee, Faried and Koufas) will have a hard time trying to stop the duo of Bynum and Gasol in the paint.
Despite losing the season series 3-1, the Nuggets played very well in their four outings against the Lakers (losses of 3, 4, 9 and 6). Denver also finished the season on somewhat of a hot streak winning six of their last seven and eight of their last ten.
The Nuggets also have the advantage of having a much deeper roster. Denver can go 10 strong on any given night. With the Lakers missing World Peace for possibly the series and backup small forward Matt Barnes playing with pain, the Nuggets can exploit the Lakers lack of depth and push the tempo more often to get the Lakers starters fatigued early on in games.
THE LAKERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IF they can keep Denver’s scoring under control. The Nuggets led the league in scoring this season with 104.1 points a game. Denver will look to push the basketball and get baskets as quickly as possible. Los Angeles needs to take the Nuggets out of their comfort zone and get them playing at their pace.
THE NUGGETS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IF they play Nuggets basketball. Denver loves to run up and down the court and score points in abundance. They ranked first in the league this season in fast-break points as well as assists. They are more athletic than the Lakers in that respect. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol don’t want to be caught up in a running game with the Nuggets bigs.
FUN FACT: If the Denver Nuggets were to win this series, they would be the first playoff team to advance to the second round that didn’t have a present/former all-star on their roster.
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Game 1 – Sun. April 29, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 – Tue. May 1, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Fri May 4, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 – Sun. May 6, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, L.A. Lakers at Denver, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT
FINAL STAFF PREDICTIONS
Editor Christopher Walder: Los Angeles Lakers in 6
Writer Jason Leung: Los Angeles Lakers in 5
Writer John Armstrong: Los Angeles Lakers in 5
Writer Joe Nardone: Los Angeles Lakers in 5
Writer Mike Owens: Los Angeles Lakers in 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdKf-2QoNXw
Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports