The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers meet in the Western Conference Finals for their third time. The Lakers have won the last two times against Denver, leading to them winning the NBA Finals. This time around, things are different as the Nuggets are the number-one seed and look poised to make their first Finals appearance, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The Lakers look to go back to the Finals since their run in the bubble in 2020. Here’s a look at some matchups for the Western Conference Finals.
Point Guard: Jamal Murray vs. D’Angelo Russell
Jamal Murray was a standout for Denver back in the bubble, and even now, he’s still one of the bright spots for the Nuggets. Murray averaged 27.2 points per game against Minnesota and 24.8 points per game against Phoenix. Murray’s offense has been impressive. The same can be said for D’Angelo Russell. Russell averaged 16.7 points per game against Memphis and 14.7 points per game against Golden State. While both players’ production in offense dipped a bit, Murray still has an edge over Russell in points, but in terms of assists, Russell averages more. As of this article, Jamal Murray is questionable for Game 1 due to an illness, and listed as day-to-day. Whether or not Murray will be available remains to be seen, but in terms of stats and matchups, this could be a scoring showdown.
Advantage: Denver
Shooting Guard: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope vs. Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves has been something of a revelation for the Lakers. The University of Oklahoma product averaged 16.5 points per game against Memphis and 14.3 points per game against Golden State. Reaves continues to improve his game throughout the postseason, but the same can’t be said for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP may have won an NBA Championship with the Lakers three years ago, but even now, his numbers have been inconsistent. Against Minnesota, he averaged 10.4 points per game, and against Phoenix, KCP had 10.7 points per game. While both players are consistent to some extent, Reaves seems to be ahead of KCP.
Advantage: Los Angeles Lakers
Small Forward: Michael Porter Jr. vs. LeBron James
LeBron has been a force for the Lakers, guiding them through a postseason run after many believe that they couldn’t be able to do it. After shocking the Memphis Grizzlies by putting up 22.2 points per game, and beating the defending champion Warriors, averaging 24.7 points per game. Michael Porter Jr. is another offensive weapon Denver has. MPJ made 16.4 points per game against Minnesota and 12.8 points per game against Phoenix. While still consistent, MPJ’s number can’t compare to those of LeBron. As of this article, LeBron is listed as day-to-day but is expected to play in Game 1 tonight.
Advantage: Los Angeles Lakers
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon vs. Jared Vanderbilt
A matchup that isn’t going to get a lot of people talking, Aaron Gordon and Jared Vanderbilt haven’t really done much to provide some lift for their respective teams. Though Gordon has averaged a total of 19.8 points through the first two rounds, Vanderbilt’s numbers are paltry at best with an average total of 6.9 points through the first two rounds. It’s fairly easy who this matchup favors here.
Advantage: Denver
Center: Nikola Jokic vs. Anthony Davis
Nikola Jokic is having the best postseason he’s ever had. Though he didn’t win a third consecutive regular season MVP award, that hasn’t stopped Jokic at all, who’s been putting up near triple-double numbers. Anthony Davis has been consistent also, but injuries have often shown up to hamper his production. As of this article, Davis is listed as day-to-day but he may play in Game 1. Expect a battle in the paint and for Joker to stretch out of the offense with three-pointers.
Advantage: Denver
Bench:
Denver has a bench consisting of Bruce Brown, Christian Braun, Reggie Jackson, Vlatkor Cancar, Zeke Nnaji, Thomas Bryant, Jeff Green, and DeAndre Jordan. A solid and deep bench that can provide solid minutes and production. The Lakers have a bench consisting of Dennis Schröder, Malik Beasley, Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown, Rui Hachimura, Wenyen Gabriel, and Scottie Pippen Jr. A young bench looking to prove themselves, but lack the experience of playing in the postseason.
Advantage: Denver
Coach:
Michael Malone has done a tremendous job leading Denver throughout the regular season. Malone also has some experience when it comes to going deep into the postseason. Darvin Ham, while still new as a head coach, must be commended for getting the Lakers this far when many people have written them off. Certainly no easy feat, but against a team led by Malone will be another challenge.
Advantage: Denver
This series feels like it could go either way, but the momentum is truly on Denver’s side more than anything. The Lakers may have their star players on day-to-day injury watch, but if they show up for this series like they did for the first two rounds, they may have a chance. If not, then Denver will make history of their own.
Prediction: Denver in 6
The Heat Check Magazine 