Denver Nuggets Vs. LA Lakers

ROUND ONE - Western Conference
Denver Nuggets and LA Lakers Series Preview

The top seed in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers (57- 25), pump in an average of 108.6 PPG, while holding opponents to 101.3 PPG. The Lakers won the season series against the Nuggets three games to zip.

Kobe Bryant is still a stellar point producer, averaging 28.3 PPG. On defense, he manages 1.84 SPG and 0.49 BPG. Although a shooting guard, Bryant can rebound and pass, notching 6.3 RPG and 5.4 APG. At point guard, Derek Fisher is good for 11.7 PPG.

The frontcourt features two monster rebounders—power forward Lamar Odom with 10.6 RPG and center Andrew Bynum grabbing 10.2 RPG. Power forward Pau Gasol posts 1.56 BPG, while taking down 8.4 RPG and putting in 18.9 PPG. Bynum blocks an average of 2.06 SPG.

Bynum is good from the field hitting an amazing 64% of the time, while Gasol connects on 59% and Odom 53%. Those are simply amazing sharp shooting percentages, making this club’s offense extremely difficult to stop.

The Denver Nuggets (50- 32) can puts points on the board, averaging 110.7 PPG. But opponents scored 107.0 PPG against them. The differential was plus-3.7 PPG, about half of the Lakers’ difference in PF/PA.

Nuggets’ shooting guard Allen Iverson hits for 26.4 PPG, while small forward Carmelo Anthony puts in 25.7 PPG. Iverson is a stellar assist-man, with 7.1 per game. Anthony grabs an average of 7.4 rebbies each contest. Iverson and Anthony both hit 35% of their three-pointers, while J.R. Smith puts in 40% from the arc.

Power forward Kenyon Martin, who’s good for 12.4 PPG and 6.5 RPG, is a tough defender, posting 1.24 SPG and 1.20 BPG. He connects on 54% of his shots from the field. Center Marcus Camby is massive on defense as he blocks an average of 3.6 shots per game. Camby leads the club in rebounds with 13.1 per contest, while putting up an average of 9.1 points.

It will be extremely difficult for the Nuggets to take this series. The Lakers have massive talents in the backcourt and frontcourt. Los Angeles has depth. The Nuggets are good but not good enough to take this series.

Maddux Sports Series Prediction:

LA Lakers in 5 Games

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