| 2009 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Game 4 |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Monday, 25 May 2009
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 The Denver Nuggets are down 1-2 in the Western Conference Finals against the LA Lakers after they tried to rile up their fans by raining down 3-pointers, but one problem, they didn’t go in. Tonight, May 25, the Nuggets will stick to what they do best tonight as Game 4’s a must win. NBA oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Nuggets as -4.5 point home favs over the Lakers with the over/under set at 208.5 points. Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Prediction in now at Sportsbook.comThe Lakers Trevor Ariza did it again. He pulled off a last minute steal to help his Lakers get the 103-97 road win. Kobe Bryant finished with 41pts, 13 which came in the fourth quarter, while Pau Gasol added 20pts 11 rebounds. Derek Fisher had a bad night making 2 of 6 from the field and missing his only 3-pointer. As a team they outshot the Nuggets by making 33 of 72 (45.8%) from the field, 6 of 19 (31.6%) from the arch and 31 of 45 (68.9%) at the line. The Lakers have some injury issues, including Ariza's sore hip and groin and Bryant's banged-up body. And they got off to a slow start Saturday night. They know if not for the Nuggets' bad shot selection, they could very well be the ones facing a 2-1 hole. "We've got to come out with more focus, more energy and really just execute a lot better in the defensive end of the floor," said Bryant, who characterized the team mood as "still a little edgy, a little upset." Bryant needed an IV after the game Saturday night and said that was the most exhausted he'd ever been after a playoff game. The Nuggets tried to please their fans and get them pumped up by taking risky and stupid 3-pointers. Their ill-suited strategy resulted in them missing 22 of 27 shots from outside the arc and shooting a playoff-low 39 percent while losing at home for the first time in 75 days. The Nuggets' three best 3-point shooters were all off the mark: Carmelo Anthony was 1-for-7, Chauncey Billups 2-for-7, J.R. Smith 2-for-10. Billups agreed the Nuggets "shot some bad 3-point shots at bad points of the game, just taking chances, trying to hit the dagger," and vowed that would change for tonight’s Game 4. Their top producers were Carmelo Anthony with 21pts, while Chauncey Billups added 18pts and Chris Anderson had a high 15pts 7 rebounds. The Nuggets will have to fix their inbounds play and take better shots, while Anthony expects to drive the hoop and create free throws. Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NBA Playoffs Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers When: Mon, May 25, 2009 8:30 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Lakers +4.5 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers The Bottom Line: The Lakers will cover the spread, but asking for a win might prove to be too much as the Nuggets will come out hard. Go Lakers! Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.                        |
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