Lakers - Nuggets First Round Playoff Series at a Glance

The Lakers and Nuggets will open up their playoff series on Sunday at Staples Center. Let's not think that Denver is a breeze, the Lakers really got to be on their A game to beat this team. We have a great 1-2 punch in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol but don't forget that the Nuggets also have one of the leagues best 1-2 punches in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. I predict that the Lakers will beat this Nugget team in 5 games. I see the Lakers winning games 1 and 2 and then Denver getting one at home and the Lakers closing it out in game 5.

One thing for sure is that we are going to have a high scoring season. During the regular season Denver actually scored 168 points in a regular regulation game. How often can a team do that? Their average scoring points for the year was 110.5, second most in the NBA. Allen Iverson can really light it up like he did when he scored a season high 51 points against the Lakers in Denver during the teams second meeting. Denver still lost despite his performance and were actually 0-3 this season against the Lakers.

that second big scorer who can give you 20-30 points The Lakers are no slouch either though, they averaged 108.6 PPG for the season, good for fourth in the NBA. As we all know, Bryant can light it up anytime and give you 40 + points on any given night, maybe even 81. Hopefully not though as it seems that the team plays much better when Kobe scores 20-30 points and everyone else contributes. Of course Pau Gasol gives the Lakers consistently.

Lakers - Nuggets (1st round playoff series)

Gm. 1:Sun., April 20: at L.A., 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Gm. 2:Wed., April 23: at L.A., 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

Gm. 3:Sat., April 26: at Denver, 5:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

Gm. 4:Mon., April 28: at Denver, 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

Gm. 5*:Wed., April 30: at L.A., TBD (TBD)

Gm. 6*:Fri., May 2: at Denver, TBD (TBD)

Gm. 7*:Sun., May 4: at L.A., TBD (TBD)

* if necessary