Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers, Game 1
Some trend will end tonight in the Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.
That’s because Denver is a perfect 10-0 against the spread in these playoffs, but the Nuggets also are 2-17 all-time in the regular season at Staples Center against the Lakers and lost both games in last year’s playoffs. Not to mention lost three of four to L.A. this season and failed to cover in either of the two in L.A. (both 14-point losses).
And indeed the Lakers are 6.5-point WagerWeb.com favorites for Game 1, not to mention -300 on the site to win the series.
But L.A. was very inconsistent against the short-handed Rockets after thumping the Jazz in Round 1. Only Cleveland has been more impressive than Denver in these playoffs.
Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, for example, is averaging 27.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He’s shooting 48 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from the 3-point line. But his average of 14.5 points against the Lakers during the season was his worst against any team.
Point guard Chauncey Billups is averaging better than 22 points per game in the postseason and shooting an incredible 54 percent from the 3-point line. In three games vs. the Lakers this season, he averaged 18 ppg and 7.6 apg on 47 percent shooting. He had 22 points, six assists and four steals in the Nuggets’ Feb.
27 win when L.A. had the franchise’s second-worst shooting night ever.
Among all the playoff teams, Denver ranks first in offensive efficiency, first in field goal percentage, first in 3-point percentage and first in scoring.
Of course, L.A. has Kobe Bryant, who averaged 31.0 points against Denver this season (and got to the line 39 times) as well as a size advantage in Pau Gasol, Andrew Bryant and Lamar Odom. However, Bynum was terrible in Round 1 and only had a few good games against Houston. L.A. point guard Derek Fisher is averaging 7.2 points and 2.0 assists in the playoffs, shooting only 36 percent from the field and making just 6 of 31 3s (19.4 percent).
The bench edge should go to Denver with Chris Andersen, Linas Kleiza, Anthony Carter and J.R. Smith.
This one will go seven games, but the Lakers will prevail.
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