The Denver Nuggets looked asleep at the wheel for at least half of their 98-96 win over the LA Lakers on Thursday night. Luckily, Los Angeles rested Kobe Bryant’s sore knee and finger in preparation for the playoff defense of their 2009 title.
The good news for Nuggets fans is that Game Four is in Denver and will be nationally televised. With the exception of a certain notorious 2002 Game 6 and the less notorious 2006 Games 3-5, the NBA is pretty sly about their big-game fixes.
The last two times the Nuggets and the Lakers played, Ty Lawson had his best and second-best performance of the season. His short stature makes him difficult to guard by the giant frontcourt LA employs.
Nuggets school Lakers without Carmelo 126-113. Plays & Analysis plus Post-Game Commentary
Without top offensive threat Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets will almost surely lose. But for Kobe Bryant, the game is still a must-win.
