It’s Lakers vs. Nuggets in Denver tonight for a battle that could determine this year’s NBA champion. LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead their squad back into the Mile High City for this do-or-die elimination game. Down 3-1, the World Champion Denver Nuggets, led by two-time-MVP Nikola Jokic, can send the 2020 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers home for the second straight year by defending their home floor, just as they did in games 1 and 2.
URGENCY
Time is of the essence for both teams, though the context is different for each. For Denver, their second round opponent, if and when they win Lakers vs. Nuggets, will be the Minnesota Timberwolves. That young, hungry squad, led by Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, have already disposed of the Phoenix Suns via an impressive four-game sweep. The longer this series goes on, the more rest the T-Wolves will get. And the more energy this series’ winner will have to expend. That isn’t of the Lakers concern, however, since they need this series to go the distance. Their urgency lies in the long-term. LeBron James will be forty by the time the playoffs start in 2025. Though he’s in better shape than any basketball player we’ve ever seen at his age, he is still the oldest active player in the NBA at this moment. If not now, when?
LAKERS VS. NUGGETS: DO THE LAKERS HAVE A CHANCE?
One could argue they have more than a chance. When you consider the fact that they’ve held leads in every single game of this series, its not outrageous to assert that with a few breaks, a few calls and slightly better three-point shooting, the Lakers may have already swept the Nuggets right out of the playoffs. James and Davis have been absolute studs throughout. They’ve defended well, holding Denver to 108.8 points per game thus far. That’s 5.1 points less than their regular season average. That makes the significance of Jamal Murray’s status for tonight’s game all the more crucial. He’s Denver’s second leading scorer and second best player. And he’s questionable with a left calf strain. Averaging 24.7 points per game this series, the Nuggets would sorely miss his production if he can’t go. And LeBron averages 33.6 points per game when facing elimination, so in a low scoring, defensive struggle, where stars need to step up and get buckets, there’s no one on the floor, save for maybe Jokic, that you’d rather have on your side.
LAKERS VS. NUGGETS: CONFIDENCE IN THE CHAMPS
As much as the media gets their panties in a twist over the Lakers, this writer included, their game four win was the first time they’ve beaten the Nuggets since December 16, 2022. It had been a year and a half. And it had been eleven straight Denver victories over LeBron and Co. Denver did what they needed to do on their most recent trip to Los Angeles. They got one. After taking game 3, game four didn’t have nearly the same urgency for them as it did the Lakers. Denver has been consistent in every game this series, winning the second half in each one. Even in the game four loss, they won the second half. The Nuggets are the champs. They are confident, consistent and playing at home, where they went undefeated in last season’s championship run. They’re 2-0 thus far in these playoffs as well. Denver’s home court advantage is the most significant of any team’s in the league when you factor in the altitude, the fact that they’re the champs and their regular season record at home of 33-8 being tops in the league.
LAKERS VS. NUGGETS: PREDICTION
Minnesota’s sweep of Phoenix gives Denver some added urgency and motivation to close this thing out tonight. Jamal Murray will play. Jokic will show up huge. Lakers vs. Nuggets, the 2024 version, ends tonight. Denver will advance in a game that plays out much like games one and two did. Anticipate the Lakers to come out firing and take an early lead that dwindles toward the half. Denver will even the score, or close to it, by the end of the third, then blow the doors off Los Angeles in the fourth. Too many minutes and not enough help for LeBron. DENVER WINS, 111-102.
LAKERS VS. NUGGETS: ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Colton is a Hollywood screenwriter turned sports columnist. Originally from the suburbs of Detroit, he is a Michigan State University grad who spent fifteen years in Los Angeles after receiving a Bachelor’s in Journalism from MSU. An award-winning filmmaker with multiple projects still in development, Colton is currently co-authoring a biography, “The Boy from the Bronx,” with renowned businessman, Michael Weisser.
Eric is a recent and welcome addition to Total Apex Sports. He’s a highly knowledgeable and respected voice in the sports community, both in Michigan and nationally. Eric Colton resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters.
