NBA Playoffs – Western Conference 1st Round: Game 1
It’s April 29, 2012 and the (#3 seeded) Los Angeles Lakers open the first round of the Western Conference playoffs hosting the (#6 seeded) Denver Nuggets. The Lakers won the 2011-2012 season series against the Nuggets (2-1) after dropping last year’s series (1-2) as well as the 2009-2010 series (1-3).
The regular season is over; the playoffs are a brand new two-month season. The Lakers and Nuggets have matched up five times in the postseason (1979, 1985, 1987, 2008 and 2009), with L.A. advancing on each occasion. The Lakers beat the Nuggets (4-2) in the 2009 Western Conference Finals. Los Angeles has won 17-of-21 postseason games against Denver, losing twice at home (9-2) and twice on the road (8-2).
Since the 1960-1961 season, the Lakers have won 37-of-47 opening round playoff series and are 143-76 (.673) over that span. They are 34-13 in Game Ones of the opening round series. When winning Game One of opening round, the the team is 33-1.
The Nuggets are the league’s top scoring team (averaging 104.1 points per game), number one in assists (averaging 23.95 per game) and second in the league in field goal percentage (.476). They are the number one transition team, rank as the league’s best at scoring points in the paint and getting to the free throw line.
Denver has the second youngest playoff roster. It is a team that wants to get out in transition and run. Despite being, a young team without a superstar player, point guard Andre Miller and power forward Al Harrington provide playoff experience. This is a deep team with six players that own double-digit scoring averages.
Nuggets’ shooting guard Arron Afflalo is a talented player and one of only two players on Denver’s roster that will draw the assignment of guarding Kobe Bryant. In 56 career regular season games (including 47 starts), Bryant is averaging 25 points. The shooting guard has scored 10+ points in a playoff game 159 times.
This series is a contrast in styles. The Nuggets want to increase the tempo and run while the Lakers want to slow the tempo and pound the ball inside to their two seven-footers. Denver does not have an answer for center Andrew Bynum or power forward Pau Gasol. The Lakers need to establish both of these guys in the painted area and allow them to go to work. Bynum will be a huge problem for the Nuggets on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers will win today’s game and this series by controlling the tempo, getting back in transition, doing a solid job defending the pick-and-roll play, controlling the boards and winning the points in the paint battle. Recently acquired (March 2012) point guard Ramon Sessions has dramatically improved the Lakers pick and roll offense. L.A. needs to use solid ball movement and good player movement to find a high percentage shot.
Los Angeles has to defend, take care of the ball and execute their half court offense while limiting Denver to one shot per possession. The Lakers’ reserves have to contribute and increase their production. The team will miss small forward Metta World Peace’s – check that… Ron Artest’s – offensive production. Ron can affect the game in so many ways with his defense. His active hands, defensively, have resulted in several steals and that element will be missed. The Lakers can be effective against the Nuggets without Metta, but L.A. needs him for their second round opponent.
Series Prediction – Lakers in six games.
Starters
Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, D.Ebanks, P.Gasol, A. Bynum
Nuggets: T. Lawson, A. Afflalo, D. Gallinari, K. Faried, K. Koufos
Tip-off: 12:30 PM PST
Television –
- Los Angeles: FS West (Bill Macdonald & Stu Lantz)
- Denver: Altitude Sports & Entertainment (Chris Marlowe & Scott Hastings )
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Denver: KKFN AM 950 (Jerry Schemel & Mark Bertagnolli)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Metta World Peace (League Suspension – Game 2) Out
- Matt Barnes (Sprained Right Ankle) Day-to-Day
- Ramon Sessions (Sprained Left Shoulder, AC Joint) Probable
- Devin Ebanks (Middle & Ring Finger Contusions, Left Hand) Probable
Nuggets:
- Al Harrington (Knee) Day-to-Day