Everyone and their mother is picking the Nuggets to beat the Lakers in the first round of the NBA postseason. Some analysts such as NBA.com senior writer Michael C. Wright expect Denver to sweep Los Angeles for a consecutive second year.
And why wouldn’t they?
- The Nuggets have won eight in a row against the Lakers dating back to the 2023 West Finals, and every metric suggests that they have improved from last year — better record (57-25 to 53-29), offensive rating (117.8 to 116.8), defensive rating (112.3 to 113.5) and net rating (5.5 to 3.3).
- While the odds are clearly stacked against them, the Lakers are quietly confident about upsetting the apple cart. After they secured a playoff berth with a win over the Pelicans on Tuesday, Anthony Davis pointed to the Lakers winning 12 of their last 15 games and having the momentum on their side.
“I think we’re clicking at the right time,” Davis told reporters. “Guys are playing well. Guys are very confident. The guys have found their rhythms. And we’re going to need it — especially for this series [against Denver].”
Davis admitted that defeating the Nuggets won’t be easy but his teammates need to continue to “have faith and trust in each other,” especially on the defensive side of the ball. Davis believes the Lakers play their best basketball when they get stops and play in transition.
To Davis’ point, the Nuggets are No. 26 in the league in pace and prefer to play a more half-court style of basketball. As such, it would behoove the Lakers to push the tempo.
- There’s another factor that could work in Los Angeles’ favor. As an aging squad with LeBron James, 39, and Davis, 31, at the helm, the Lakers might be better off playing Denver early than in the latter stages of the postseason. Last year, James was visibly exhausted against the Nuggets, especially in the fourth quarters of all four games. A fresh James could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Purple & Gold.
Game 1 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
