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Nuggets Lakers Western Conference Finals Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on May 19, 2009

nugs lakers 51909 Many thought of the Nuggets as a weak No. 2 seed before the playoffs began, but they have been anything but. Denver has dominated its way through the first two rounds and now takes on the defending Western Conference champs in the 2009 NBA Western Conference Finals starting Tuesday night. While Denver has been the more impressive of the two in the postseason, the Lakers have had Denver’s number, winning 3 of 4 meetings this season and 11 of 14 over the last three seasons. The Los Angeles Lakers are listed as a 6.5-point favorite with the total set at 214 in Game 1.

I think you’ll all agree with me when I say that the Nuggets would not be at this point had they not traded Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups. Billups brought his big game experience, his leadership, and his commitment to the defensive end to a team lacking all three keys to success. Billups has really stepped up his game in these playoffs, averaging 22.1 points per game. But a strong series from Billups is not going to be enough to get past LA. The Nuggets must continue to get big point production from Carmelo Anthony. Anthony really struggled against LA during the regular season, averaging under 15 points per game, but he should enter this series with a ton of confidence as he is scoring 27 per in these playoffs. The one area where the Nuggets might actually have a sizable edge is their bench. If the Lakers don’t have an answer for The Bird Man and J.R. Smith with their second unit, the Laker starters could be forced to play more minutes, and that could catch up with them if its a long series. The Denver Nuggets are listed at +210 to win the Western Conference Finals.

Few expected the Lakers to have such a difficult time with Houston, especially once Yao Ming went down. It took them seven games, but the Lakers are right back in the Western Conference Finals and one step closer to challenging for another NBA title. The Lakers have been two completely different teams in these playoffs. They have been a dominant force that handed the Rockets one of its worst playoff losses in history, and they have been a complacent team lacking a killer instinct. I expect to see the Lakers playing much more consistent basketball in this series as they know that a failure to do so will get them beat. Kobe Bryant is averaging 27.4 points per game in these playoffs and 31 points per against Denver this season. Pau Gasol has been strong in the postseason as well with an 18.5 points per game scoring average. The Los Angeles Lakers are listed as the -280 favorite to win the Western Conference Finals.

Prediction – Lakers in 6
With so much talk in the media about Denver being the best in the West during these playoffs, I expect the Lakers to shut people up by putting forth a very strong effort in this series. With no lock down defenders of the caliber of Ron Artest and Shane Battier, Kobe could end up running wild. I like LA to get back to the NBA Finals in 6 games.

Jimmy Boyd will make sure you win with your NBA betting on this series and through the remainder of the playoffs. Sign up for his NBA picks package and start beating the NBA odds today.

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