LA Lakers (0-0) vs Denver Nuggets (0-0)
When: Friday, Sept 18th at 9pm.
Where: AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida
TV: TNT / Radio: ESPN LA 710
Injuries:
LAL: None
Denver: None
LAL :
114.1 - points per game
105.2 - points against
47.3 - Field goal %
Denver:
106.8 - points per game
108.3 - points against
46.5- field goal %
Individual Leaders: LAL/Den -
Anthony Davis 27.6 / Jamal Murray 27.1 -Points
Anthony Davis 10.3 / Nikola Jokic 10.8 - Rebounds
LeBron James 8.8 / Nikola Jokic 6.0 - Assists
Key Match-ups:
Anthony Davis vs Paul Millsap
LeBron James vs Jerami Grant
Javale Mcgee/ Dwight Howard vs Nikola Jokic
Jamal Murray vs Rajon Rondo
Michael Porter vs Kyle Kuzma
Keep an eye on:
Who dominates up front: in this series. Lebron James and Anthony Davis form the most devastating duo in the playoffs and can kill teams in a myriad of ways. Both thrive off finishing strong inside, getting to the free throw, rebounding and defending. They constantly apply pressure to defenses to force turnovers which gives them easy baskets in transition. The Lakers also bring an experienced front line with deep playoff and championship experience in Javale McGee, Markieff Morris and Dwight Howard. All three pose different threats inside, on both ends.
Nikola Jokic was a terror in the Nuggets semifinal win over the Clippers. He truly did it ALL, and the Clippers had no answer. The series turning play was when Paul Millsap took issue with Marcus Morris and got in his face about it. From then on, it was a different more aggressive Nuggets team. That same aggression will be needed and more to pull off an upset win over the Lakers and to advance in the finals.
Yes, both teams have threats on the perimeter as well, with Denver bringing the hot Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Monte Morris and Torrey Craig to battle the Lakers perimeter attack of Rajon Rondo, Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso. However, this series will be won up front.
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