NBA Handicapping Predictions – Lakers vs Nuggets
The Nuggets are hoping the high altitude and some home cooking can help them get back in the series with the Lakers. Los Angeles dominated the first two games to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Denver is facing a must win game here.
NBA Basketball Matchup: #3 Los Angeles Lakers (2-0) vs. #6 Denver Nuggets (0-2)
10:30 PM EST on ESPN2
NBA Gambling Odds from JustBet
NBA Betting Favorite: Nuggets -4
Over/Under: 204
The Lakers would love nothing more than to make this a quick series. Expect a great effort from both teams.
Los Angeles has a huge advantage down low in this series. Andrew Bynum is playing extremely well right now, and Jordan Hill has been giving the team great minutes off the bench. Pau Gasol hasn’t hit his stride in this series yet, but you have to expect him to improve in the coming contests. The Lakers blocked 15 shots in the first game of this series, and they blocked eight more shots in Game Two.
Their defensive presence inside makes them a very difficult team to run half court sets against. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points in Game One, and he poured in 38 points in the team’s Game Two win. Look for big things from Bryant now that playoff time is here. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
George Karl knows that his team simply can’t afford to let the Lakers set up their defense. Denver did a much better job turning the game into a track meet in Game Two, and I expect more of the same in this one.
Ty Lawson broke out with 25 points and 7 assists in Game Two. Lawson is one of the fastest players in the league, and Karl is counting on him getting the Nuggets quite a few fast break points in this game. Danilo Gallinari is in a shooting slump, and the team needs more from him offensively. Javale McGee has been terrible so far in this series.
McGee needs to hold his own against the Lakers big men. Al Harrington and Arron Afflalo are two guys who need to be more efficient on the offensive end if the Nuggets are going to get back in this series.
Denver being in front of the home crowd should help them push the tempo even more in this game.
The Lakers will pile up the points in the frontcourt as well. I think this one goes over the posted total.
Prediction: Denver 107 Los Angeles 105
