Lakers Looking To Close Out Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets play the Los Angeles Lakers at Orlando on Saturday in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers are leading the series by a 3-1 score.
The Nuggets enter the Western Conference Finals in a known spot, as they were also down 1-3 in the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs -- they turned things around against both the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, but it remains to be seen if they have enough energy to do the same against the Lakers, a team that has looked on top during most of the series. Plus, the fact that the Nuggets have played four more games during the current postseason run is beginning to show. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a block in Game 4, and the star point guard will need to be at their best if the Nuggets want to force a Game 6. Nikola Jokic must improve his play, though -- he totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in Game 5, but he needs to take on a bigger role offensively. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from deep, during their Game 4 defeat.
At the other hand, the Lakers are just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals and have looked quite good during the current postseason run. Even though they've had more than a few bumps on the road, the Lakers have dropped just three games and have always bounced back with a win when they're defeated, showing grit and a capacity to adjust rather quickly. Anthony Davis led the Lakers in Game 4 with 34 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in 41 minutes, while LeBron James followed up with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. These two players have carried the Lakers during the playoffs and are expected to do the same thing in Game 5, where the Lakers will look to become the first team in The Association to reach the NBA Finals.
The Nuggets enter the Western Conference Finals in a known spot, as they were also down 1-3 in the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs -- they turned things around against both the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, but it remains to be seen if they have enough energy to do the same against the Lakers, a team that has looked on top during most of the series. Plus, the fact that the Nuggets have played four more games during the current postseason run is beginning to show. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a block in Game 4, and the star point guard will need to be at their best if the Nuggets want to force a Game 6. Nikola Jokic must improve his play, though -- he totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in Game 5, but he needs to take on a bigger role offensively. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from deep, during their Game 4 defeat.
At the other hand, the Lakers are just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals and have looked quite good during the current postseason run. Even though they've had more than a few bumps on the road, the Lakers have dropped just three games and have always bounced back with a win when they're defeated, showing grit and a capacity to adjust rather quickly. Anthony Davis led the Lakers in Game 4 with 34 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in 41 minutes, while LeBron James followed up with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. These two players have carried the Lakers during the playoffs and are expected to do the same thing in Game 5, where the Lakers will look to become the first team in The Association to reach the NBA Finals.