NBA Playoffs: #1 Lakers vs # 8 Nuggets

This match-up will be one where Paul Gasol will outscore Marcus Camby who has turned into the Nuggets last line of defense and rim protector. He is still a fabulous defense player that has no problem throwing anyone’s shot into the 3^rd row of the stands. Several of his blocks have come in a help situation and that is where the pendulum swings in the Lakers favor. Gasol’s offensive skills will allow him to score in the post and allow the Lakers to start their offense from the inside out, Gasol is an excellent passer out of the post as well which will make life difficult for the Nuggets. Kobe Bryant’s penetrating the lane will cause a dilemma for Marcus Camby he can attempt to stop Bryant leaving Paul Gasol to attack the rim or stay home hope for a miss and grab the rebound. Advantage: Lakers   

Contrary to popular belief the Nuggets do have some dangerous guys on their bench. SG J.R. Smith, SF Linas Kleiza, PF Edwardo Najara, PF Nene has missed the last 6 games with a grion injury and is questionable for the first round series but it is the playoffs and I think for that reason alone he will play.

Smith and Kleiza are the most dangerous guys and have to be contained. Locking down these two, rotating out on shooters, stopping the dribble penetration of the guards and slowing the starters will be key in this series. The Lakers have the deeper bench consisting of G Jordan Farmar, G Sasha Vujacic, SF Luke Walton, SF Trevor Ariza, PF Ronny Turiaf, C Andrew Bynum, SF Ira Newble. The Laker bench has been a strength for this team all year averaging 30 points per night on several occasions as well as resting the starters & have brought the team a tremendous amount of Energy, Effort and Enthusiasm. Advantage: Lakers

The Lakers have showed a lot of growth and developed, despite several injuries to key players the Lakers have come together as a unit and are playing their best ball at the right time heading into the playoffs. The Lakers will probably be without C Andrew Bynum and SF Trevor Ariza, two integral parts of their team but both should return by the end of the first round one or the start of round two. These are two explosive offenses Lakers averaging 108 points & the Nuggets 110 points per game but the Nuggets are also ranked 29th defensively. The league has surprisingly spread the games out. The first five games are played on Sunday Apr.20th, Wednesday Apr. 23th, Saturday Apr. 26th, Monday Apr. 28th & Wednesday Apr. 30th.

Advantage: Lakers, winning this series in 5 games.

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