Nuggets vs. Lakers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Odds and More for Opening Series

The Los Angeles Lakers were able to outlast the rival Los Angeles Clippers in order to win the Pacific Division, setting up an opening-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers won three of the four regular-season games between the two teams.

Metta World Peace has been the biggest story in the NBA ever since he delivered an elbow to James Harden and was suspended seven games. The Lakers are a veteran team, however, so that shouldn't hurt their chances in any significant way.

The Nuggets enter the playoffs playing some of the team's best basketball of the season. They won their last four games and eight of the last 10 to secure the Western Conference's sixth seed. Now Denver shifts its focus to pulling off the Round 1 upset.

Where: Pepsi Center (Nuggets) and Staples Center (Lakers)

Listen: KRWZ 950 AM (Nuggets) or KSPN 710 AM (Lakers)

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Series Odds: TBD

Series TV Schedule

Game 1: Sunday, April 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Game 2: Tuesday, May 1 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT

Game 3: Friday, May 4 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Game 4: Sunday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT

Game 5: Tuesday, May 8 with information to be released if necessary

Game 6: Thursday, May 10 with information to be released if necessary

Game 7: Saturday, May 12 with information to be released if necessary

Key Injuries (via CBS Sports)

Nuggets: Wilson Chandler (out, hip) and Rudy Fernandez (out, back)

Lakers: No injuries to report

What They're Saying

The regular season just wrapped up on Thursday, but Nuggets head coach George Karl has already started thinking about ways to slow down the Lakers, according to Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post. Karl said:

"

They're the biggest team in basketball, and they're the most powerful team in basketball. How we confront their big people will be by committee. We have to play physical and not be afraid to foul if we have to foul. When we play L.A., it's pace against power, speed against size. The more stops we get in the game, the more we can create our aggressive offense with our defense. The more they play 5-on-5 is probably more beneficial to them.

"

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times credits Kobe Bryant for deciding against playing on Thursday night in an attempt to win the scoring title, which he could have done with 38 points. Plaschke said:

"

That he chose not to do so will earn him respect from a locker room that needs to trust him and admiration from a city that wants to believe in him. His numbers weakened, but his legacy grew stronger. On a day Kobe Bryant willingly gave up a scoring title—who thought we would ever write those words?—he gained much, much more.

"

Most Important Player to Watch: Kobe Bryant

Speaking of Bryant, the extra rest gained by sitting out the finale should serve him well heading into what's sure to become a physical series. Even though the Lakers' top three, including Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, can all take over a game, Bryant will always have the ball in crunch time.

Arron Afflalo has established himself as one of the league's best perimeter defenders and has the size to defend the five-time champion, so Bryant has his work cut out for him. He averaged just 17.7 points against the Nuggets this season, his least against any opponent he played more than once.

That said, Bryant has always seemed to raise his level of play when it matters most.

He's only 33, but has logged a lot of miles on his legs and knows his personal championship window has started to close. Anything less than an elite performance throughout the series would be surprising.

Key Matchup: Ty Lawson vs. Ramon Sessions

The Nuggets will struggle to control Bynum and Gasol down low, so it's vital that Lawson takes advantage of his matchup with Sessions to help even things out.

One of the league's most underrated point guards, Lawson averaged 16 points and seven assists.

After watching Derek Fisher struggle through the season's first few months, the Lakers decided they needed a fresh face to run the point. Sessions has been an upgrade, but it will be difficult for him to keep up with Lawson, especially on the defensive end.

Even though Lawson should win this individual matchup, he must do so in a convincing manner to make up for the Nuggets' problems in other areas. Sessions should make enough plays to ensure that doesn't happen, proving it was a good deal for Los Angeles.

Prediction: Lakers advance in six games.