Just before the Los Angeles Lakers square off with the Denver Nuggets, head coach Mike Malone called the Lakers the best team in the Western Conference.
After cruising through a somewhat easy part of their schedule, things will be heating up for the Los Angeles Lakers. While their strength of schedule might not have been the most challenging, the Lakers did handle their business recently.
As the Lakers prepare for another road trip, they will be tested by one of the best teams in the Western Conference to start. On Tuesday night, the Lakers will be facing off against the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets were one of the best teams in the NBA last season, and they are looking to do it again this season. However, while the Nuggets are off to a strong start to the season, they are still looking up at the Lakers in the standings.
Recently, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone talked about the Lakers being the best team in the Western Conference.
Coach Malone when asked about the Lakers being in town and the two best teams in the West facing off tomorrow night said the Lakers are “on a whole nother level. They’re the best team in the West.”
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) December 2, 2019
Top 5 in both o/d, Lakers beat teams in the paint, in transition, on the glass.
The Nuggets do present the Lakers with a somewhat tough matchup, as they have the size and talent to compete on the inside, with the some talent at guard as well. With a dominant big man like Nikola Jokic, it will be a lot of fun to see him against the frontcourt of the Lakers. Presumably, we could see some time with him and Anthony Davis going toe-to-toe.
Even though it is early in the season, these matchups are also fun to watch, but also important to gauge where the team is at. The Nuggets could very well be one of the teams that the Lakers face in the Western Conference Playoffs this year, so facing them in the regular season can help them learn a few things for down the road.
The praise by Malone should be an indication that the Nuggets are going to be ready for the Lakers in this game. With it being in Denver, the Nuggets will surely be looking to set the tone early at home.