Nuggets vs. Lakers in the Western Conference Finals
The Denver Nuggets finally know who they'll be playing in the Western Conference Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets in game 7 to move onto the next round. The Western Conference Finals should be an exciting and evenly matched series. It's fitting that the top two teams from the Western Conference will face off to see who makes it into the NBA Finals. The winner between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic will represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers went into the the playoffs with the best record in the west. Many of the national media outlets predicted the Lakers would make it all the way to the NBA Finals. They very well could do just that....however they will need to play much better to beat the Nuggets. The Lakers struggled with the Houston Rockets even though they didn't have their two best players, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. The Lakers looked out of sync on the road and also lost a game on their home court. They will need to gain some confidence and play more physical to beat the Nuggets.
The Nuggets finished second to the Lakers in wins in the Western Conference. Many of the national media outlets were skeptical that the Nuggets would make much noise in the playoffs. They easily beat the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks, making many 'experts' eat their words. The Nuggets have a new identity as a team. They play tough team defense and smart offense. Chauncey Billups gets the ball in the right person's hands and makes big shots when the Nuggets need them. Denver is on a winning streak at home and have not lost at home in the playoffs.
Key Matchups in the Western Conference Finals:
The Lakers went into the the playoffs with the best record in the west. Many of the national media outlets predicted the Lakers would make it all the way to the NBA Finals. They very well could do just that....however they will need to play much better to beat the Nuggets. The Lakers struggled with the Houston Rockets even though they didn't have their two best players, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. The Lakers looked out of sync on the road and also lost a game on their home court. They will need to gain some confidence and play more physical to beat the Nuggets.
The Nuggets finished second to the Lakers in wins in the Western Conference. Many of the national media outlets were skeptical that the Nuggets would make much noise in the playoffs. They easily beat the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks, making many 'experts' eat their words. The Nuggets have a new identity as a team. They play tough team defense and smart offense. Chauncey Billups gets the ball in the right person's hands and makes big shots when the Nuggets need them. Denver is on a winning streak at home and have not lost at home in the playoffs.
Key Matchups in the Western Conference Finals:
- Nene vs Andrew Binum
- Kenyon Martin & Chris Anderson vs Pao Gasol
- Carmelo Anthony vs Trevor Ariza
- Chauncey Billups vs Derek Fischer/Jordan Farmar
- Nuggets Bench vs Lakers Bench
Which players are the most important for the Nuggets to win? Will the Nuggets beat the Lakers? How many games will the Western Conference Finals last?
Jeremy Fleming
DenverSportsBlog.com
I agree! I am a Rockets fan and a Houstonian, I followed this through game 7 and they played well yesterday, but, overall, they will have to play much harder to beat the Nuggets. I'm very disappointed but not surprised that the Lakers murdered my Rockets in the end. Way to go guys, but, Nuggets please raise the heat on these Lakers!!!
Reply to this
I think this series will come down to which team can steal a game on the road. I don't think the lakers will be able to win a game in Denver, but they don't have to, as long as they don't lose at home. The Nuggets need to win a game in L.A., their best chance to win in L.A. will be in on of the first two games. If it comes down to a game 7, I don't think the Nuggets will be able to pull it off. If the Nuggets are going to win the series they will have to win in 5 or 6 games.
We need Chauncey to come up huge in the series if we want to win. Also, I think our bench will be very key to us winning on the road and at home. On the road the lakers will need to use their bench more than normal, because of the high altitude and the Nuggets running style.
The Nuggets will come out tonight a very fresh team. Hopefully they won't be too amped up for the game. If they are, we could see the lakers take a big lead early and that won't be good.
Go Nuggets, grab a game in L.A. and we could a Nuggets championship.
Reply to this
Salmon, after one game you were dead on with your analysis. Chauncey is going to have to have some huge games to take pressure off Carmelo. The Nuggets bench needs to play MUCH better in Game 2 for the Nuggets to win. The way Game 1 ended, I definitely don't want to have to play a Game 7 in LA.
Come on Nugs, play like thugs and rock the Softy Sally's.
Reply to this
The Nuggets played horrible last night! If they don't figure it out quick they will be done. Why can't J.R. figure it out, he has missed so many shots and he throws the ball all over the court. If the Nuggets play any more games like this the series is over.
Reply to this