The Lakers (41-25) have a crucial game to win against the Denver Nuggets (41-26) on Saturday. This is the last time these two teams meet in the regular season, as they are currently even in their season series at 1-1.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
When: 5:30 p.m. PT, Mar 14
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: ABC
Just when it felt like the Lakers were falling apart two weeks ago, they’ve completely turned it around once again and are now sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
Granted, that can change in an instant, but the fact that they’re a top seed in the West means they’re doing things right. Now, the goal is to remain in that spot.
That will be possible if the purple and gold take care of business against the visiting Nuggets on Saturday.
The same Nuggets team that they’ve had two close games with this season. This time, Aaron Gordon is back, which means Denver will be at their healthiest this season against LA on Saturday. It should make another exciting clash between two teams who are not only looking to claim the tiebreaker but also to overtake each other in the standings.
That said, here are three factors that could determine the winner of this heavyweight match.
Whose defense is worse?
Defense will matter a lot in this game because the Lakers and Nuggets have one thing in common: being below-average in that department. The Lakers are 20th in defensive rating and Denver is right behind them, at 21st.
Over the last two games, LA has been successful in scoring in the paint against Denver. They’re +26 in points generated inside the paint across both games. The non-Nikola Jokic minutes specifically are when the Lakers should look to capitalize. They’ve also been successful in generating second-chance opportunities and transition points against the Nuggets this season. That should continue if the Lakers want to win on Saturday.
Which superstar will rise to the occasion?
Speaking of defense, it’s a given that the Lakers will have to do everything to contain Jokić. They also have to make sure that Jamal Murray doesn’t play extraordinarily well and now Gordon too.
The Lakers’ defense will have their hands full and will need to put a ton of pressure on the Nuggets’ defense as well. For that to happen, Luka Dončić will have to play very well, as well as Austin Reaves and LeBron James. Now is the perfect time for the supporting cast to make sure they don’t disappear too.
Both teams may have their flaws, but they employ All-Stars who can take over games. The question is, who will be the superstar in this one? Hopefully, it will be one that dons the purple and gold armor.
Who or what will be the X-factor?
In the Lakers’ first victory against the Nuggets this season, it was Marcus Smart who pitched in 15 points to help Dončić and James complete the comeback win. In their second game, when the Nuggets barely escaped the Lakers, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Braun stood out. It’ll be interesting to see who comes up big for both teams on Saturday. The likeliest candidates to be the Lakers’ X-factor are: Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton or even Jaxson Hayes.
Let’s see if the Lakers can find a way to tip things in their favor and win the season series against the Nuggets for the first time in six years.
Notes and Updates
- For the Lakers’ injury report, Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is out, while Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) is probable.
- As for the Nuggets, Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain) is out while Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) is probable.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
