Lakers Vs. Nuggets Live Game Blog

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Thoughts before the game:

First and foremost, if this game gets down to crunchtime, whoever is being guarded by Trevor Ariza needs to draw him as far away from the pass as possible.

J.R. Smith will shoot threes. Chauncey Billups likes to pull up for threes. 'Melo needs to lay off the threes, if only to give Denver the penetration and free throws they so desperately need. It also provides offensive rebounding opportunities for guys like Chris "Birdman" Anderson, Nene and K-Mart.

If just one of the trio of Bynum, Farmar, or Vujacic shows up tonight, the Lakers will win.

I'm predicting Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy will heatedly disagree on at least four points tonight.

After watching the Cavs/Magic game last night, I can't help but think Delonte West belongs on the Nuggets. Feisty, opposing players dislike him, and he's covered in tattooes...he's made for Denver.

I'm torn between play-by-play guys. Mike Breen's "BANG!" on a dagger three is priceless. Marv Albert's "YES!" is timeless. Kevin Harland's "OOOOHHH!" is awesomeness.

ESPN showed some of the pre-game speeches by coaches. Apparently both Phil Jackson and George Karl think it's "their night."

The Nuggets' jumbotron montage doesn't seem so jumbo after seeing the Lakers' video on those huge sheets that drop from their jumbotron all the way to the floor...

1st Quarter:

Right before tip-off, the camera goes to Mike Breen, Jackson and Van Gundy. Instead of sitting between Jackson and Van Gundy, Breen has opted to sit on one side. Smart move.

The best thing about an overachieving or first-time playoff team? Their home crowd. It's the only time NBA fans come close to college fans.

It took 14 seconds for Bryant to get to the free-throw line. Anthony bricks a three. Not a good sign for Denver...

10:40- Martin accidently banks in a shot for Denver's first points. On the other end he fouls Ariza. Even though he missed both, L.A. will win if this inside-outside disparity keeps up.

10:08- Bynum already has an offensive rebound and a hoop. Phil Jackson is trying not to express the "Finally!" going through his head.

9:02- Denver's energy is right where it needs to be. K-Mart already has a dunk, and now Nene flushes one off of his second offensive board. It's like they suddenly realized Bynum is soft. Nuggets lead 8-3.

7:28- Bynum with a soft dunk from Pau Gasol. Billups counters with a jumper. Are the Lakers calm because they're poised or because they lack the energy? I'm leaning towards the latter.

6:00- Nene's eating up the boards(6), but 'Melo's denting the rim with his bricks. Breakaway dunk for Jones. Timeout Lakers, with Denver leading 12-5. Jackson will probably tell his team in his calm, philosophic voice that it's not advisable to allow half of Denver's points off of dunks.

5:16- Kobe gets the ball right out of the timeout, but the Nugs are making him pass. Fisher lucks out with an unintentionally banked floater.

4:24- Nugs up 15-9. K-Mart looks so awkward whenever he scores. Watching him score should be every Lakers' fan's biggest annoyance.

3:48- Ariza picks up his second foul. Denver can only pray he fouls out before a late-game inbounds scenario. Odom in for Bynum. Watch the Lakers go on a run. Nugs up 16-9.

3:17- I just rememebered Nene means "baby." That's two players in the postseason whose names or nicknames include the word "baby." The NBA, where babies happen.

2:51- Nugs up 17-11. There's no need for Walton to look flabbergasted for being called for a foul on Anthony. He's a white bench player guarding a superstar. It's a given. The Lakers' shots aren't falling, while Denver has gone almost exclusively inside after the first minute.

*I'm debating if I like the "Where Amazing Happens" commercials showing old-school highlights, but do it piece-by-piece starting with an empty gym. I could do without the empty gym. Just show the original highlight with the piano music playing. There. Debate over.

2:16- Gasol with the sick block, and Bryant gets to the line on the other end. Those two will get it done. Before that, Shannon Brown missed an open jumper. Everyone but Gasol and Bryant is a question mark.

1:54-

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