Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets prediction: 105-100 win
Quite frankly, there are not a lot of reasons to expect the Los Angeles Lakers to win this game. The way they are playing, I might just be on the wrong side of history in predicting them to move to 3-4 during the seeding games.
However, there are two positive factors for the Lakers that I am considering for this game. First, LeBron James is coming off of a solid game against the Indiana Pacers where he was much more involved than the previous games and looked to be tuning up for the playoffs.
Second is the play of Anthony Davis. To be frank, Anthony Davis has been very disappointing in the bubble thus far. He was exceptional in the Lakers’ two wins but has been a non-factor in the four losses. 14 points, nine points, 17 points and eight points. That is what he has scored in the losses.
The worst possible playoff path is now likely
That just is not good enough and at some point the switch is going to flip and there is a decent reason to believe that it will happen in this game. Davis has been his best in the bubble when he is constantly fed the ball and is playing like he has something to prove.
Coming up against another really talented big in Nikola Jokic, who is not great defensively, is a great opportunity for Davis to have a big game.
Personally, I am not hopeful for a great offensive game but I think the defense will be better with a bit more effort on that side of the court. The Lakers win by five due to a big combined showing from AD and LeBron.