| 2009 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Game 6 |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Friday, 29 May 2009
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 The Denver Nuggets are one loss away from summer vacation if they can’t win at home tonight, May 29, against the LA Lakers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers lead the best of seven series 3-2. NBA oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Nuggets as -5.5 point home favs over the Lakers with the over/under listed at 208.5 points. Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Prediction in now at Sportsbook.comThe Lakers gotter done in Game 5 winning 103-94 at home. They finally discovered ways to get more balanced play, especially from their bigs. Kobe Bryant lured double coverage then passed to his teammates with Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol doing the damage inside in the fourth quarter as the Lakers capped a 23-5 run. Bryant finished with 22pts, while Pau Gasol added 14pts 10 rebounds and Lamar Odom was great off the bench with an additional 19pts 14 rebounds. "We may have found some things we can do that allows us to attack them from everywhere. We feel we can't be beat when everybody's getting a chance to play." The Lakers had five players finish in double digit points. They also had a bad night from the arc making only 3 of 16 (18.8%). The Lakers will have to play their best defense tonight against a Nuggets team on home court. "We've had stretches where we've played excellent defense," Bryant said, "but the competition we're facing with this Denver Nuggets team is unlike anything we've ever seen. They have so many scorers, they have an inside presence. Fatigue has played a role for the Lakers Bryant and Gasol who each played 45 minutes last game. But Bryant said he's fine, suggesting he'll "get plenty of rest when I'm on a beach in Cabo." The Nuggets couldn’t pull it off in the fourth quarter as they were outscored 18-27. "For most of the series, we outplayed them for most stretches of the game," Chauncey Billups said. "We just couldn't get over the hump in the fourth quarter in a few different situations." The Nuggets top producers were Carmelo Anthony with 31pts after making 12 of 13 at the line, Chauncey Billups had a low 12pt night and Kenyon Martin added 12pts. Chris Anderson was virtually invisible out their pulling down eight rebounds and adding 2pts. In Game 4, Coach Karl thinks Lakers Coach Phil Jackson’s rant at the referees gave the Lakers the edge going into the fourth quarter. Although it drew $50,000 in fines, Jackson's complaints about the officiating in Denver paid off in the Lakers' 16-7 advantage at the line in the fourth quarter, Karl suggested. So, Karl took his own crack at the crew, suggesting Nene fouled out thanks to three or four phantom fouls and questioning how Gasol (one foul) could have played such a clean but active game. On Thursday Karl insisted he wasn't blaming the officials for Denver's demise, but he took another shot at them when saying some of his younger players were letting the officiating get under their collective skin. Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NBA Playoffs Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers When: Fri, May 29, 2009 8:30 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Lakers +5.5 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers The Bottom Line: If the Lakers can play tough ball inside at hit three’s they should cover or at best win. 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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