The Los Angeles Lakers had a chance to finish off the Denver Nuggets at home in Game 5, but instead it was the Nuggets who prevailed 102-99 to force a Game 6 in Denver on Thursday. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 10:30 EST and will be televised nationally on TNT. This has all of the sudden turned into a series that could go down to the final game. While the Lakers managed to hold on for a 92-88 win at Denver in Game 4, the Nuggets cruised to a 99-84 win at home in Game 3. If the Nuggets can come away with another win at the Pepsi Center, the series will return to LA for Game 7 on Saturday.
Having a look at the NBA lines for this vital game, oddsmakers have Denver favored by 1.5-points over the Los Angeles with the total set at 198 points. For the latest on this series go the Betfirms.
Denver
The Nuggets didn't just avoid elimination in Game 5, they now have the confidence they can win this series. They have truly embraced the never give up attitude of their head coach George Karl. I don't believe anybody was shocked to see Denver win a game at home, but no one thought this team had a reasonable chance of making this a series.
While numerous players stepped up and contributed in Game 5, Andre Miller and JaVale McGee are the reason Denver is still playing. Miller scored a team-high 24 points to go along with eight assists, while McGee added 21 points and 14 rebounds. The most impressive part about those two stat lines, is the fact that both players came off the bench. Combined they shot a ridiculous 17 of 23 from the field. Arron Afflalo led the starters with 19 points and Danilo Gallinari chipped in 14.
It's no secret to what Denver has to avoid elimination. They must continue to push the pace and really make the Lakers work on both sides of the ball. While the Lakers have to rely heavily on the big three of Bynum, Gasol, and Bryant, The Nuggets have a number of players who they can turn to offensively. The only concern I have with this team, is the absence of a go to guy late in the game.
Los Angeles
Knowing that Oklahoma City is waiting and resting for the winner of this series, I expected a much better effort from the Lakers in Game 5. Rarely will you see a team led by Kobe Bryant fail to put away their opponents on their home floor. That's not to say Bryant didn't do everything in his power to help Los Angeles win. Bryant finished with a game-high 41 points and single-handedly brought the Lakers within striking distance in the fourth quarter with a barrage of 3-point shots.
While Bryant seemed to understand the significance of Game 5, the same can't be said for the rest of the team. Andrew Bynum was the only other player in double-figures with 16 points, but he was a non-factor on both sides of the ball for most of the game. Bynum finished with just eight field goal attempts, which is completely unacceptable given the Lakers size-advantage in the paint. Pau Gasol was even worse, scoring just 9 points on 4 of 11 shooting.
I question whether the the tempo at which the Nuggets are playing is taking its tole on the Lakers 7-footers. With the series shifting back to the thin air of Denver, you have to ponder whether either of these players have enough stamina to play at the level needed for Los Angeles to win this game.
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Tags: Basketball, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, nba, nba playoffs//
Category Basketball //
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