Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Analysis, Comparison, Prediction

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 boasts a balanced mix of scoring and defensive prowess. Jamal Murray, a playoff star, showcased his scoring abilities last season by averaging 26.1 points per game in the playoffs and he holds a clear edge over the Lakers' D’Angelo Russell at the point guard position. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a starting-caliber two-way shooting guard, fits seamlessly into Denver's lineup, providing solid defense and perimeter shooting (40.6% 3-PT FG).

Michael Porter Jr. has been a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, shooting 39.7% from three this season. His ability to knock down shots when Nikola Jokic distributes the ball will be crucial for the Nuggets' offensive efficiency. Aaron Gordon emerged as Denver's top defender last year and will play a pivotal role in containing LeBron James.

However, the Nuggets' undeniable superstar is Jokic, who won Finals MVP last year. He posted incredible numbers of 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 11.8 assists per game in the series against the Lakers last year and will undoubtedly be the key player for the Nuggets in this matchup.

On the other side, the Los Angeles Lakers' lineup has its own strengths and challenges. D’Angelo Russell, while not matching Murray's playoff performance, shot a respectable 41.5% from three in the regular season. For the Lakers to have a chance, Russell needs to maintain this level of shooting accuracy throughout the series.

Austin Reaves, though solid in the regular season, needs to step up and put pressure on Denver's defenders, especially Caldwell-Pope, by shooting over 37% from deep. LeBron James, at 39 years old and past his prime, remains the Lakers' floor general and leader.

Despite his age, James is still a force to be reckoned with, posting 27.8 points and 10.0 assists per game in last year's series. Rui Hachimura is likely to start, bringing mid-range and post-scoring to the series to counter Gordon's defensive presence. Anthony Davis will have the daunting task of managing Jokic's scoring and rebounding output while also defending him. If Jokic manages to average a triple-double in the series, the Lakers could find themselves in significant trouble.

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 is a key player as the primary ball handler off the bench, providing playmaking and scoring. Justin Holiday and Peyton Watson will need to step up on defense and shoot efficiently to earn their minutes. Christian Braun's ability to attack the basket and push the pace will be crucial, and Zeke Nnaji will play a backup role for Jokic although DeAndre Jordan could also provide his veteran presence down low.

On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers have Gabe Vincent returning after a limited regular season and hope he can replicate his playoff performance from last year. Spencer Dinwiddie will offer scoring behind Austin Reaves, Max Christie will be relied upon for short bursts of production, Taurean Prince will provide shooting and defense, and Jaxson Hayes will be the defensive anchor in the paint behind Anthony Davis. With Christian Wood and Cam Reddish sidelined, the Lakers will need their backups to produce even more.

Advantage: Even

Michael Malone vs. Darvin Ham

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

The Denver Nuggets have several advantages heading into a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Firstly, they have Nikola Jokic, who is widely regarded as the best player in the world. His playmaking ability and basketball IQ make him a unique and dominant force on the court. Additionally, the Nuggets have a well-established championship-caliber roster where every player understands and embraces their role.

The Nuggets also excel at playing a disciplined and efficient style of basketball. They prioritize good shot selection, which is reflected in their 5th ranking in offensive rating this season. Defensively, the Nuggets have been solid, ranking 6th in the league, and they boast more elite defenders compared to the Lakers.

Lastly, the Nuggets have had the upper hand against the Lakers in their recent matchups, sweeping last year's series and holding a 3-0 regular-season record against them. These advantages position the Denver Nuggets as a formidable opponent for the Los Angeles Lakers in any playoff matchup.

Los Angeles Lakers Advantages

LeBron James and Anthony Davis form an elite duo with unmatched size and dominance. Their ability to take over games and even entire series is well-documented, and LeBron's leadership is widely regarded as the best in the game. Their combination of experience, talent, and playoff success makes them a formidable pair that can single-handedly win a series.

Additionally, the Lakers have other hungry and motivated players like Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell, who will be eager to step up and contribute. The Lakers also have added motivation to perform at a high level against the Nuggets, given their recent struggles and failures against Denver. With LeBron James searching for his fifth championship and Darvin Ham hoping to prove he is the right man, the Lakers can answer the call as a team.

Who Is The Better Team In The First Round?

Based on the full comparison, the Denver Nuggets appear to have the edge over the Los Angeles Lakers in a potential first-round playoff matchup. The Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions and have one of the best starting lineups and defensive units in the league. Nikola Jokic's exceptional skills and the coaching prowess of Michael Malone also give them a significant advantage.

While the Lakers have a formidable duo in LeBron James and Anthony Davis and have shown resilience in close games against the Nuggets, the overall depth and cohesion of the Nuggets seem to make them the better team.

Predicting the series outcome, the Nuggets are expected to win in five games, leaving the Lakers with an important offseason to address their roster and prepare for the next season. It could be very possible that LeBron James looks to join a new team before his retirement, which could mean Lakers fans hope the series doesn’t end the way it is predicted.

Prediction: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 4-1