The Denver Nuggets are a team of destiny. At least it looks that way after they completed their second straight comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to knock off the favored Clippers. Instead of the all LA Western Conference final series, the Nuggets can make it an all LA sweep if they can get past the Los Angeles Lakers. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to fall behind to LeBron James and Co., but the Nuggets are playing with an edge that’s seen them do something no other team in the history of the NBA accomplished. The Lakers are a rested group after dispatching Houston in five games in a rather easy second round matchup. We’ll see if the break affects them when the series gets underway Friday.
NBA Series Prices
Denver Nuggets +447
Los Angeles Lakers -600
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Series Schedule
Game 1: Nuggets vs. Lakers, Friday, September 18, 2020, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 2: Nuggets vs. Lakers, Sunday, September 20, 2020, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3: Lakers vs. Nuggets, Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Lakers vs. Nuggets, Thursday, September 24, 2020, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5: Nuggets vs. Lakers, Saturday, September 26, 2020 (If Necessary)
Game 6: Lakers vs. Nuggets, Monday, September 28, 2020 (If Necessary)
Game 7: Nuggets vs. Lakers, Wednesday, September 30, 2020 (If Necessary)
Head to Head
I’m not sold on the odds for this series with plenty of value riding on Denver at the opening price. The Nuggets battled LA at the top of the conference standings for most of the season and were just a few games off the pace in mid-February. It’s not like they played poorly afterwards rather the Lakers just turned it on to claim the No. 1 seed. The Lakers won three of four regular season meetings, including the last two by a combined seven points with one of those tilts going to overtime. The most recent matchup was a nail-biter inside the bubble with LA’s Kyle Kuzma hitting a game-winning three with less than a second on the clock for a 124-121 win. Anthony Davis dropped 33 and James had a triple-double in the previous matchup with LA winning in overtime 120-116. Denver’s lone win came at Staples with James not playing. Six players reached double figures led by 21 from Paul Millsap in the 128-104 triumph. What I’m saying is that this series is going to be a lot closer than most expect.
Denver Nuggets
It’s been over a decade since the Nuggets played in the Western Conference final so they are going to savor the moment. Pulling off an improbable comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Clippers for a second straight series shows that you can’t let up against the scrappy group. There’s just no quit in them. The Nuggets overcame double-digit disadvantages in each of the last three games smothering the Clips big two of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in Game 7. They were a combined 10 of 38 from the floor with 24 points.
The dynamic duo of Jamal Murray and Nicola Jokic were superb and will square off against the Lakers big pair with a trip to the NBA Finals at stake. Denver spoiled the all LA conference final most anticipated. Can they also spoil a possible Lakers-Celtics Final? Jokic had a monster triple-double in the clincher with 16 points, 22 rebounds and 13 assists while Murray posted his fourth 40-point game in this postseason.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers tinkered with their roster throughout the season searching for the right mix of players. One thing they didn’t mess with was the duo of James and Davis, and why should they. Probably the most dominant pair of teammates in the NBA, they carried LA through the regular season and rather easy five-game series wins over Portland and Houston. Both teams have shown a knack for coming back in the playoffs, the Lakers just do it sooner. They lost the first game of both earlier series only to rattle off four straight wins each time.
After missing most of last regular season and having his streak of 14 straight playoff appearances snapped, James is on a mission. He ushered Houston out of the bubble with 29 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in Game 5. AD has been equally good with the pair posting better numbers this postseason than during the regular year. AD averages 27.6 points and 10.9 boards with James at 26.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Free Picks
The Lakers’ big two will square off with another big two. It’s just not the pair they thought it was going to be. Instead of Leonard and PG13, Jokic and Murray will hit the floor. And if the Lakers breathe a sigh of relief they’ll be in for a letdown. While James and Davis have been dominant, the Lakers have received contributions from a number of role players. The Nuggets are a Cinderella story, but the glass slipper won’t fit in this series.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Series Pick: Lakers in 6 Games
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