If healthy, Nuggets would defeat Lakers in the playoffs.
Colin Cowherd, sports commentator, is in the same category as Nick Young When it comes to whether or not the Los Angeles Lakers can beat the Denver Nuggets during the playoffs.
As it stands now, the Lakers are in 11th place in the Western Conference and are without LeBron James, who has a right foot tendon injury, and D’Angelo Russell, who has a sprained ankle. The team is currently one game behind the New Orleans Pelicans who are currently in 10th.
L.A. would like to finish sixth and avoid the play in tournament. However, it is most likely that L.A. will be participating in the tournament.
If it were to win, it would result in a first round matchup with the top-seeded Nuggets.
Cowherd said that the Lakers would be stronger than Denver and would have a better chance at winning (h/t). Lakers Daily).
“If they were healthy, I’d pick the Lakers,” Cowherd said. “I don’t trust Denver in the West. … If LeBron and A.D. (Anthony Davis) were healthy, I would have the two — I know [Nikola] Jokic will win MVP, but I would prefer the best defensive player. LeBron is the greatest ball-handler. LeBron is the most physically active. Anthony Davis is the best defensive athlete. … Playoff basketball is about being great at stuff. … It’s not about depth. It’s not about plaques. It’s not about MVPs. The Lakers, when A.D. and LeBron are healthy, they have things they’re great at.”
Even though Denver has a stellar 44-19 record, there are plenty of people who don’t fully believe they’re the favorites to reach the NBA Finals. With the Western Conference set up right now, it seems like there is no clear favorite. Not even Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns.
If James returns soon enough and the Lakers can find a way for momentum to continue building, it could be a great opportunity to surprise everyone this spring.