Western Conference Finals

 

Well, once again the Western Conference proves its superiority in the NBA with the upsets of all upsets. A mixture of unprecedented performances and possibly the biggest choke job we’ve seen in the playoffs. Truly a conference of depth and elite talent. The Los Angeles Clippers were constructed to contend with their roommate in Staples Canter the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA Championship. For them to lose the way that they did adds fuel to the fire when talking about forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as top tier superstars in this league. Enough about the losers and let’s talk about the winners. 

The unpredictable Denver Nuggets have unlocked the ability to flip the proverbial “switch” but it is only useable when they go down 3-1. This sudden fail-safe has allowed them to be the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-1 twice in a singular playoff run. Coming back from double-digit second-half deficits in each of the last three games shows how far they have come as players. Major props to Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic for rising to the occasion and raising their level of play as a team’s stars should. Controlling the game in pick and roll/pop action and constant ball movement playing through Jokic as I’ve stated they’ve needed to do to get to the next level. Now they have to raise it some more as they go up against a team whose leader raises his level of play along with his teammates. 

When I look at this matchup the first thing I look at is the matchup of the Lakers’ bigs against Jokic. Let me start off by emphasizing that Anthony Davis is no Montrezl Harrell. All respect to this year’s Sixth Man of the Year, but neither Davis, Dwight Howard, nor JaVale McGee will be held to only three rebounds per game as Harrell was reduced to. Defensively Howard is my preference when we go to the bench in this series even though he was unplayable in the series against the Rockets. In reference to Davis, he is way more gifted offensively and the same way he would have to guard Jokic, Jokic would have to guard him. I personally believe this matchup will be pivotal in this series as the Nuggets thrive off the playmaking of Jokic. 

The next thing to look at is the perimeter shooting of both teams. The Lakers struggle from the three-point line has been well documented in the bubble but as of late they have started to improve. As a team, they shoot 36% from the three-point line in the playoffs compared to the Nuggets’ 39%. The Nuggets have the depth that can constantly produce, I believe this is the series that Kyle Kuzma has to assert himself. This postseason he is only averaging a measly 11 points per game on 36% shooting; if the Lakers can get north of 15 points from him consistently this series it could be over quick. Guys like Markieff Morris, Rondo, and even Caruso will be tested because of the depth of Denver’s shooting, can they efficiently score timely baskets from the perimeter?

Denver provides the same problem that the Rockets and Trailblazers did and that is proficient guard play. Jamal Murray is having an elite level postseason as the numbers state; 31.6 points per game with 6 assists, 55% from the field, and 49% from three-point land. When Murray gets hot it seems the game is his to win. Lakers guard Avery Bradley deciding not to play in the NBA bubble hurts them once again knowing that he was a guy that he would pick up Murray the length of the court and to everything to throw him off his rhythm. Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Danny Green, and Rondo will have the pleasure of guarding and matching the production of one of the hottest people in the bubble.

   Just about all of the regular season games between these two teams have been pretty high scoring as the Lakers won three out of four games with that one loss happening without Lebron James being on the floor. Which leads me to my last point, the Denver Nuggets absolutely have no match for the 35-year-old Lebron James. Everyone is too small or too slow and he will be the difference for the Lakers as the superstar and leader of the team. One thing that I am sure of is that Lebron James will not underestimate the firepower of the Nuggets which will make for an interesting series. Which side of Lebron will we see? The guy that plays like Magic Johnson or the guy that plays like Michael Jordan? If he plays like Jordan, like a scorer that can’t be stopped? This series will be over quick.

 

My Prediction- Lakers in 6

all stats and analytics from 

espn.com

nba.com