Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Lakers Game 3 Predictions
Written May 22, 2009 by Jason Lowry
After failing to come away with the win in game 1, the Denver Nuggets went into Los Angeles and beat the Lakers 106-103 to even the series at 1 game a piece. Carmelo Anthony continues to play at a level many are not use to seeing on this stage, as Anthony dropped in 34 points and 9 rebounds in game 2. The Nuggets also got 27 points from Chauncey Billups and 16 from both Kenyon Martin and Linas Kleiza. The 16 off the bench from Kleiza was huge for the Nuggets, as J.R. Smith was way off scoring just 3 points on 1-6 shooting. For the Lakers Kobe Bryant once again led the way with 32 points, and was much more efficient from the floor going 10-20 from the field and 10-10 from the charity strike. Trevor Ariza tried to help pick up some scoring for the rest of the Lakers adding 20 points on 6-7 shooting from the field, and Pau Gasol had 17 points and rebounds in game 2. Off the bench the Lakers got 10 from Lamar Odom and 8 from Shannon Brown, and Odom added 9 rebounds. Game 3 heads to Denver where the Nuggets will try and keep home court advantage and put the Lakers in a whole the rest of the way. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win game 3, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.
What the Lakers need to do to win: The Lakers played at a much higher level in game 2, but they need someone to step up and give them some more points inside. Gasol had just 8 shots in game 2, and I feel like the Lakers need to get him some more shots inside if they want to win game 3 on the road. I think you can expect another big game from Kobe Bryant, and I am still confused on why he didn’t get the last shot to try and tie the game. Andrew Bynum was only able to give them 18 minutes in game 2, and that really hurts this team if thats all the longer he can play effectively. Ariza was outstanding in game 2, and a big reason the Lakers were even in the game. I think a big part of the Lakers chanceto win game 3 depends on the game of Odom, as the Lakers need him to score closer to 20 points if they want to dominate the game. Defensively the Lakers need to find an answer for Carmelo, if there is one, as he has done pretty much whatever he wants in the first two games of the series. Bet Lakers +3.5 to win game 3 at Sportsbook.com.
What the Nuggets need to do to win: Its hard telling if this team can play much better than it did in the first two games of the series, besides the poor free throw shooting in game 1. The Nuggets were much better from the line in game 2, and that was a big reason they were able to hold off the Lakers late in the 4th quarter. Anthony and Billups are causing havoc to the Lakers, and it might get even better with the Nuggets heading to their home floor. Both Martin and Nene are playing great inside defense, and they have got great play out of Chris Anderson when he comes in off the bench, and it will really help there chances if these guys continue to make life rough on the Lakers big men. I don’t know if you can count on Kleiza to come in and shoot like he did in game 2, so I strongly believe the Nuggets are going to need a much better game from J.R. Smith. As long as the Nuggets keep the intensity level where its at, this team is going to be in every game the rest of the way. Bet the Nuggets -3.5 to win game 3 at Sportsbook.com.
My Prediction: Nuggets -3.5. I really like the Nuggets to win this game, and if the Lakers don’t come ready to go early, this game could be a blowout. Unless the Lakers have another level of play, its going to be very hard for this team to get back to the NBA FInals, as the Nuggets have easily been the superior team in the first two games.
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