Nuggets vs. Lakers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers still have a lot to play for as the NBA regular season inches ever so close to its end. Each game takes on even more weight for playoff contenders, as there's still a lot that can happen in regards to seeding and who will and won't make the playoffs when it's all said and done.

Count the Nuggets as a team that falls in the latter category, as they are clinging to the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference in a tie with Houston, holding a slim 1.5-game lead over the Utah Jazz.

Denver's the highest scoring team in the NBA (103.7 PPG) and will need to keep the game up-tempo and high-scoring on Friday night against the Lakers in order to walk away with its third consecutive win. The Nuggets' mini win streak coincides with the return to the lineup of small forward Danilo Gallinari (15.3 PPG), who has missed a total of 23 games on the season due to injury.

Friday's game is big for the Lakers as well, who look to maintain not only a hold on the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, but also their 1.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers for the Pacific Division lead.

Lakers head coach Mike Brown would love to see Kobe Bryant back in the lineup after missing the past three games with a shin injury, but they have won two of three games in his absence, including Wednesday night's impressive 98-84 win in San Antonio in which Andrew Bynum pulled down 30 rebounds.

Los Angeles will need another big effort from Bynum on Friday, as well as one from Metta World Peace, who scored a season-high 26 points against the Spurs, topping the 20-point mark for only the second time this season, both coming within the past four games.

The Lakers have won two of the three previous meetings against Denver this season and have the advantage playing at home, where they are 23-6 on the season.

Here's a look at everything you need to know for Friday's Western Conference showdown between two playoff hopefuls.

When: Friday, April 13 at 10:30 p.m. ET

Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

Watch: FOX WEST, Altitude Sports

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Betting Line: No line due to Kobe Bryant's unknown status for the game.

Nuggets Key Injuries (Per Yahoo! Sports)

Should Play: Al Harrington (torn meniscus)

Day-to-Day: Wilson Chandler (groin)

Out: Rudy Fernandez (back)

Lakers Key Injuries (Per Lakers.com)

Day-to-Day: Kobe Bryant (shin), Jordan Hill (knee)

What They're Saying

After Bynum's effort against the Spurs, ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy was impressed and told Mike and Mike in the Morning that the Lakers need to have better balance on offense when Bryant returns.

The Lakers' size and length makes them very difficult to deal with, and that will only be more important in the playoffs. Without a good point guard for most of the season, Kobe was forced to take a lot of shots with the shot clock winding down, but they are better served playing the game inside-out. A guy like Pau Gasol was lost early in the season, and he's so good.

Brown was especially happy with the physical play of Bynum and Gasol, telling ESPN's Dave McMenamin after the game, "You like when they come out with the right focus and physical [nature] to pay attention to the game plan and the opponent and try to play the game the right way."

Most Important Player to Watch: Metta World Peace

It's no secret that the Lakers have been lacking production from the small forward spot all season long, but if World Peace can continue to chip in offensively, scoring 19 or more points in three of the last four games, the Lakers are very tough to deal with.

Even if Bryant returns to the lineup, Los Angeles needs to make a point of keeping World Peace involved in the offense, especially while he's rolling.

Key Matchup: Andrew Bynum vs. Denver Bigs

For Denver to have a chance to steal a win on the road, it must find a way to limit Bynum's production. In the three games without Bryant in the lineup, Bynum has averaged 19 points and 19.7 rebounds. If that happens on Friday, the Nuggets won't be coming away victorious.

The pressure will be on the likes of JaVale McGee, Kosta Koufos and any other big body George Karl wants to throw at Bynum. They need to be physical and attempt to frustrate the All-Star center.

Prediction

Lakers 97, Nuggets 92