Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Preview
The Matchup: Denver Nuggets (1-2) at Los Angeles Lakers (0-3)
Location: Staples Center
Time: Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 8:30 MT
How to Watch: NBA TV, Altitude 2
Betting Line (per Bovada): Lakers by 2
Projected Starting Lineups:
Denver: PG Emmanuel Mudiay, SG Gary Harris, SF Danilo Gallinari, PF Kenneth Faried, C Joffrey Lauvergne
Los Angeles: PG D’Angelo Russell, SG Jordan Clarkson, SF Kobe Bryant, PF Julius Randle, C Roy Hibbert
One of the premier rivalries of the mid-to-late 2000s, both the Nuggets and the Lakers are in full rebuild mode.
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Don’t get me wrong, I can still go back to the place I was in 2009 when the Nuggets got hosed in the Western Conference Finals where they were the better team, but the Lakers got lucky with two late game steals that SEALED A SPOT IN THE NBA FINALS!!!
Sorry, I blacked out there for a second.
Anyways, both teams have struggled out the gate, but the Nuggets have definitely looked better so far. Gary Harris has looked like an above-average wing defender and Emmanuel Mudiay was obviously the right choice to lead the team into the future. It will be interesting to see how Harris can do against the broken-down Kobe Bryant and the heaps of ball-dominant guards on the Lakers roster.
The interesting matchup will be the two rookie point guards.
Lakers fans have to be jealous of how the Nuggets and coach Mike Malone have used Mudiay so far since his usage rate is in the 30s this year. Unfortunately for D’Angelo Russell’s progression and Lakers fans’ sanity, his usage rate is seventh on the team and 11 percentage points below both Mudiay and Bryant. Russell may not be able to showcase his talents until both coach Byron Scott and Bryant are off of this team.
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- Did Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets break Anthony Davis?
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- What will it take for Denver Nuggets star to become ‘inevitable?’
- Denver Nuggets NBA Training Camp report, other preseason dates to know
Watching Bryant’s fall from unguardable superstar to a guy who is shooting 31 percent has been borderline depressing, but the Lakers are set up well for the future with Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and backup center Tarik Black.
The Nuggets shouldn’t have issues scoring tonight. Danilo Gallinari will unquestionably score 20 points and it wouldn’t be surprising if Mudiay and Kenneth Faried get there as well. Joffrey Lauvergne may struggle against Roy Hibbert, but this could easily be a heat check night for the Nuggets’ bench players, especially Randy Foye and Jameer Nelson.
The Lakers defense is atrocious, but their offense will put up numbers. Faried has looked better defensively, but Randle can be a force (albeit a black hole) and has looked good against smaller power forwards. Kobe will take around 20 shots and backup guards Lou Williams and Nick Young will get death glares from him every time they touch the ball, but each is a dangerous offensive weapons in his own right.
The key for Denver today will be to take care of the basketball. Mudiay has had terrible turnover issues so far and with a team that can put up points at will, it will be important for Denver to be careful and make smart passes. If Denver can make a couple of highlight plays and get into the Lakers heads early, this may be an easy win for the Nuggets.
Next: Mudiay Can Help Nuggets With Better Shot Selection
Prediction: Nuggets 111, Lakers 105