The Los Angeles Lakers secured a victory against the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in game on Tuesday night, benefiting from Zion Williamson’s late-game injury. Despite clinching their playoff spot, the Lakers now face the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, who have maintained a perfect 3-0 record against them in the regular season.

Despite their recent struggles against Denver and the sweep they endured in last season’s Western Conference Finals, the Lakers enter this series with unwavering confidence in their abilities. LeBron James and Anthony Davis draw strength from historical precedent, as the Lakers boast a formidable record of 25 victories in 37 playoff appearances against the Nuggets. While Nikola Jokic has propelled the Nuggets to new heights, making them the best in franchise history, it remains uncertain whether Denver will secure victory in the series. A comprehensive analysis will delve into the dynamics of this matchup.

Denver vs. Lakers Head-to-Head:

2023-24 Regular Season: Denver vs. Lakers 3-0

All-Time Playoffs Series: Denver vs. Lakers 1-7

Starting Lineups:

Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis

The Denver Nuggets’ starting lineup showcases a well-rounded blend of scoring and defensive capabilities. Jamal Murray, renowned for his postseason performances, demonstrated his scoring prowess last season with an average of 26.1 points per game, giving him a clear advantage over the Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell at the point guard position. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a versatile two-way shooting guard, seamlessly fits into Denver’s lineup, offering strong defense and reliable perimeter shooting (40.6% 3-PT FG).

Michael Porter Jr. has proven himself as a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, boasting a 39.7% three-point shooting rate this season. His ability to capitalize on Nikola Jokic’s playmaking will be crucial for the Nuggets’ offensive efficiency. Aaron Gordon emerged as Denver’s primary defender last season and will play a crucial role in containing LeBron James.

However, the Nuggets’ undeniable superstar is Jokic, the reigning Finals MVP. He showcased remarkable performances against the Lakers last year, averaging 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 11.8 assists per game in the series, solidifying his status as the key player for Denver in this matchup.

On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup presents its own strengths and challenges. While D’Angelo Russell may not match Murray’s postseason achievements, he maintained a respectable 41.5% three-point shooting accuracy in the regular season. Russell’s consistent shooting will be essential for the Lakers’ chances in the series.

Austin Reaves, although reliable during the regular season, must elevate his performance and apply pressure on Denver’s defenders, particularly Caldwell-Pope, by maintaining over a 37% three-point shooting rate. LeBron James, despite being 39 years old and past his prime, remains the Lakers’ floor general and leader.

Despite his age, James remains a formidable presence, averaging 27.8 points and 10.0 assists per game in last year’s series. Rui Hachimura is expected to start, bringing mid-range and post-scoring abilities to counter Gordon’s defensive prowess. Anthony Davis faces the daunting task of containing Jokic’s scoring and rebounding prowess while also defending him. If Jokic manages to maintain a triple-double average in the series, the Lakers could face significant challenges.

Advantage: Denver Nuggets

Bench:

Denver Nuggets: Reggie Jackson, Justin Holiday, Peyton Watson, Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji

Los Angeles Lakers: Gabe Vincent, Spencer Dinwiddie, Max Christie, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes

For the Denver Nuggets, Reggie Jackson plays a pivotal role as the primary ball handler off the bench, contributing both playmaking and scoring. Justin Holiday and Peyton Watson will need to elevate their defensive efforts and maintain efficient shooting to earn significant minutes. Christian Braun’s ability to drive to the basket and push the tempo will be crucial for the team’s success, while Zeke Nnaji serves as a backup for Jokic, with the option of DeAndre Jordan providing veteran presence in the low post.

On the Los Angeles Lakers’ side, Gabe Vincent returns after a limited regular season, with hopes of replicating his playoff performance from last year. Spencer Dinwiddie offers scoring support behind Austin Reaves, while Max Christie is relied upon for short bursts of production. Taurean Prince contributes both shooting and defensive prowess, and Jaxson Hayes serves as the defensive anchor in the paint behind Anthony Davis. With Christian Wood and Cam Reddish sidelined, the Lakers will need increased production from their bench players.

Advantage: Even

Michael Malone vs. Darvin Ham:

Credit: Fadeaway World

Michael Malone has been instrumental in maximizing Nikola Jokic’s passing ability and creating a cohesive and well-balanced Denver Nuggets team. He has made strategic decisions to prioritize defense, which has led the Nuggets to rank in the top 10 defensively over the past two seasons.

Malone’s ability to define roles for his players and his success in integrating defensive-minded players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and improving Aaron Gordon’s defense have been key factors in the Nuggets’ success.

On the other hand, Darvin Ham has shown an ability to adapt his rotations around LeBron James and Anthony Davis and has played a role in the development of Austin Reaves. However, he lacks the playoff experience compared to Malone, and his position on the hot seat could be a potential concern.

Overall, while Darvin Ham has strengths as a player-focused coach, many would argue that Michael Malone’s track record of success and ability to create a cohesive and effective team puts him ahead of Ham in terms of coaching prowess.

Advantage: Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets advantages are:

The Denver Nuggets hold several significant advantages entering a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Foremost among these is the presence of Nikola Jokic, widely acknowledged as one of the premier players in the world. His exceptional playmaking skills and basketball acumen render him a uniquely dominant force on the court. Moreover, the Nuggets boast a roster replete with championship-caliber talent, each player adept at understanding and embracing their respective roles.

In addition to their individual prowess, the Nuggets excel in executing a disciplined and efficient style of basketball. They prioritize high-percentage shot selection, a strategy evident in their impressive 5th ranking in offensive rating this season. Defensively, the Nuggets exhibit solidity, ranking 6th in the league, and fielding a cadre of elite defenders who stack up favorably against their Lakers counterparts.

Furthermore, recent head-to-head matchups between the Nuggets and the Lakers have favored Denver, with the Nuggets sweeping last year’s series and maintaining a perfect 3-0 regular-season record against their rivals. These cumulative advantages establish the Denver Nuggets as a formidable adversary for the Los Angeles Lakers in any playoff encounter.

Los Angeles Lakers advantages are:

LeBron James and Anthony Davis form an unparalleled duo, characterized by their exceptional size and dominance on the court. Their capacity to seize control of games and even entire series is well-documented, with LeBron’s leadership widely acknowledged as the pinnacle of the sport. Their blend of experience, talent, and playoff achievements renders them a formidable tandem capable of single-handedly determining the outcome of a series.

Moreover, the Lakers boast a cadre of hungry and motivated players, including Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, poised to step up and make meaningful contributions. The team carries added impetus to perform at a high level against the Nuggets, fueled by their recent struggles and disappointments against Denver. With LeBron James vying for his fifth championship and Darvin Ham seeking to validate his leadership, the Lakers are poised to rise to the occasion as a cohesive unit.

Who Is The Better Team In The First Round?

Based on the comprehensive comparison, the Denver Nuggets emerge as having the upper hand over the Los Angeles Lakers in a potential first-round playoff clash. As the reigning NBA champions, the Nuggets boast one of the league’s premier starting lineups and defensive units. Nikola Jokic’s exceptional talent, coupled with the coaching acumen of Michael Malone, further solidify their advantage.

Although the Lakers possess a formidable duo in LeBron James and Anthony Davis and have displayed resilience in close encounters against the Nuggets, the overall depth and cohesion of the Denver squad appear to tilt the scales in their favor.

In forecasting the series outcome, it’s anticipated that the Nuggets will secure victory in five games, leaving the Lakers to contemplate adjustments to their roster and strategy for the forthcoming season. There’s a possibility that LeBron James may explore new team opportunities before his retirement, adding an element of uncertainty for Lakers fans hoping to defy the predicted series outcome.