Lakers vs Nuggets Preview!

In Sunday’s night cap the Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. In game 3 Denver came out with the hot hand, jumping out to a 24 point lead at halftime, and went on to win 99-84. Andrew Bynum had troubles with the altitude in Denver during game number three, admitting that he wasn’t ready to play. Bynum told ESPN reporters yesterday “I took myself out [of it],” also adding “I was just not, I guess I don’t know, maybe just not ready to  play”. Nonetheless, Drew managed to collect 18 points and 12 rebounds in his last contest. After game 3 Bynum stated, “I was able to refocus to not let the first half bother me,” . Unfortunately, there are 2 halves in basketball and the Lakers definitely missed their big man in the first half of action.

Give credit to the Denver Nuggets though, they came out with energy and played very focused throughout. JaVale McGee and rookie Kenneth Faried played magnificent- both collecting their first ever playoff double-doubles. Faried scored 12 points and grabbed 15 rebounds (6 offensively) while JaVale McGee had 16 points and 15 rebounds off the Nuggets bench.  The achilles heel for the Lakers all season has been the bench play production, in game 3 the Lakers bench  only produced a measly 9 points.

Kobe Bryant shot terrible, going just 7-23 from the field and 3-10 from long range, Arron Afflalo played Bryant well throughout. Denver will not dwell on this win knowing that there is plenty of basketball to be played. Nuggets guard Ty Lawson also played a major part in the victory notching 24 points to go along with 7 assists.

With a chance to tie the series at 2 games apiece, expect the Pepsi Center to be rocking with plenty of energy. In the same breath, DON’T expect either Bynum or Bryant to come out as they did in game 3. This will be a boxing match and both teams will throw blows, expect the game  to be very physical. So with that being said… LET THE DRAMA CONTINUE!!!