The Denver Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks in round 2 to move into the Western Conference Finals. The games were closer than in Round 1 vs. the Hornets, but the Nuggets controlled the series from the start. The Nuggets continued to play tough defense and played as a team to beat the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki single handedly kept the games close, but didn't have enough to beat the Nuggets. Who's up next for the Denver...the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets?

Houston Rockets - The Rockets shocked everybody by beating the Lakers without Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo. Houston had to play a small lineup and was still able to dominate the Lakers in game 4. Aaron Brooks had a huge game for the Rockets as the Lakers couldn't do anything to stop him. Houston has to play fast and make a high percentage of shots to beat the Lakers and move onto the Western Conference Finals. Aaron Brooks, Ron Artest, Luis Scola and Shane Battier will be key players if the Rockets can advance.
 
Los Angele Lakers - The Lakers went into the playoffs with the best record in the Western Conference. Everybody thought that they were definitely the team to beat in the west. In game 4 they looked terrible and didn't adjust to the Rockets fast paced offense. Kobe Bryant didn't play up to his MVP level and his teammates didn't  pick up the slack. Bryant is one of the top 3 players in the NBA and he's the main reason the Lakers are such a good team. In game 5 he and the rest of the Lakers played great on their home court. Now they have to go to Houston and get a win in game 6. Key players for the Lakers to advance are Kobe Bryant, Pao Gasol, Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar.

Who's going to step up and play the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals?

Jeremy Fleming
DenverSportsBlog.com