Lakers-Nuggets: Lakers Will Take It in Four

The Los Angeles Lakers are going into this series against Denver with momentum, having one four in a row and eight of their last nine. 

The first thing the Lakers have that will be crucial in their 4-0 sweep of Denver is the bench. With Sacha Vujacic , Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and Ronny Turiaf improving every game, they can punch well above their weight even with Kobe and Gasol on the bench.

The Lakers bench is being recognized and feared around the league, "One through one, they are the deepest team in basketball," said ABC-ESPN commentator Mark Jackson.

If Trevor Ariza can some how get healthy in time for the second round, the Lakers will be even harder to beat than they are now.

Denver on the other hand, really only have J.R Smith that can come of the bench and have an impact on the game. Smith has blossomed since the All-Star break averaging 16 points and making 41 percent of his three-pointers.

Along with the Lakers having an impressive bench, they also will go into the series knowing they swept the Nuggets in the season series 3-0, and winning by an average of 16.3 points. The three wins the Lakers had over Denver during the season were all without Pau Gasol, and one was also without the much improved Andrew Bynum.

As far as match-ups go, the Bryant-Iverson matchup will be key to who wins the series. Denver desperately need Iverson to score consistently and find a way to stop Bryant despite being six inches shorter. Kobe Bryant hasn't been the offensive force against Denver like he is against other teams. He is averaging just 22 points, while only taking 15 shots per game at 57 percent against Denver this year.

Marcus Camby will be another player who will have to dominate defensively against his opposing player Pau Gasol. Camby is the league's reigning defensive player of the year, and has been able to stop Gasol in their 13-career match ups so far.

Gasol, who normally averages 18.8 points and 8.6 rebounds, is only averaging 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds against Camby. Compare this to Camby, who has been able to stay close to his career averages of 10.7 points and 9.7 rebounds, is averaging better in both, with 11.3 points and 10.9 rebounds when playing against Gasol.

One more thing in favor of the Lakers, Denver has used a ton of energy just trying to make the playoffs in the last couple of weeks. This will surely affect their performance even with all the hype of being in the playoffs. Having tough, must win games for the last two weeks of the season takes its toll. The Lakers have known for along time now that they would be in the playoffs, and haven't had the pressure of having to win every game they play.

I wouldn't be surprised if Denver managed to win a game, but if I was a betting man I would definitely have my money on the Lakers to win this series in four games.