Denver Nuggets take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game-6 looking to take the series to a decider - NBA Playoffs Preview
Game 6 of this first round Western Conference series will see Denver Nuggets play hosts to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on Thursday night. Lakers currently hold a 3-2 lead in the series and have
already blown their first chance to close things up after the Nuggets side came out 102-99 winners at the Staples Center in Game 5.
Despite Kobe Bryant`s spectacular shooting from beyond the arc - he knocked in 4 clutch three pointers in a total of 43 points - and Ramon Sessions helping out with a triple of this own, Nuggets were able to
hold on down the stretch. The Nuggets survival was made possible by their big man JaVale McGee, who came up with 2 blocks and 14 rebounds in the game, not to mention 21 points.
Nuggets did a little bit of everything in the last game. Their starters stepped their game up, they showed more urgency and their bench was able to outscore the Lakers bench 50-19 in the game.
The Lakers however did give the Nuggets a good scare in the closing stages. After enjoying a comfortable double digit lead early in the fourth, the Nuggs began to falter as the Black Mamba started to warm up.
In the end it all came down to Bryant, but he missed a three. George Karl, the Nuggets coach was a relived man after the squeak;
"I didn't expect us to win by double digits. I thought it would be close. Thank God he missed."
-- George Karl contemplated on the final shot by Bryant
In the post game press conference, Karl went on to reveal a little part of his strategy for Game 6 which is mainly to exploit the fatigue factor, a much older Lakers side will be feeling going into Thursday night;
"My hope -- I don't know if this is true or not -- is fatigue will come our way and the rhythm of the game and tempo of the game and the pace the way we play. They're getting tired of hearing it and you're probably
getting tired of hearing it: Our only chance to beat 'em is run 'em and play with a tremendous energy and intensity."
On the other hand, Mike Brown has said fatigue is out of the question, describing it as a non factor in the playoffs. He did however go on to blame the lack of help on the defensive end as the main reason for
his team losing their edge in the closeout game.
“Our weak side did not do a good job of having awareness, nor did we do a good job as team protecting that paint." – Brown
If the Lakers are to wrap the series up away from home, it is going to be a tough task them for them as they have been unable to control the momentum of games throughout the first round. Nuggets have outhustled
the Lakers more often than not in this series and Andre Miller’s form will be another positive factor for them. Miller posted a team high 24 points in the last game, which included two clutch free throws.
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