The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination, making their Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets a fight to survive.
After going down 0-3, the Lakers are set to be the 150th team to either not make it back from that deficit or create history by registering a win and live to fight another day.
LeBron James made it abundantly clear that the Lakers needed just one win — one that could swing some momentum in their favor, which they desperately need. “Just got to get one,” LeBron James said. “Just one at a time. Just focus on Game 4, and you know, that’s all you can really think about.”
This was seconded by Austin Reaves: “We can either come out Monday and go home or we can fight for another day, and with the group of guys that we’ve got, I know what that answer will be. And Anthony Davis agreed. “Obviously this is a steep recline, being down 0-3. But we’re gonna keep taking it one game at a time, try to get better, and come out with a win on Monday.”
Meanwhile, the Nuggets, buoyed by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, aren’t taking anything lightly. They will know that a win on Monday would be sweet revenge for being ousted in the 2020 bubble playoff run by LA, but as long as the team faces a healthy James and Davis, a Game 5 could be in the offing.
On that note, we take a look at the expected starters, the injury report from both camps, and the predictions for the must-win clash for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries And Expected Lineups
The Lakers are set to receive a boost in the form of Mo Bamba, who is expected to be available for Game 4. ESPN’s updated injury report sees James and Davis listed as probable, but the duo will almost certainly take the floor.
Expect a change or two from the Lakers this time. Dennis Schroder (G), Austin Reaves (G), LeBron James (G), Jarred Vanderbilt (F), and Anthony Davis (C) might start for the Lakers.
Denver Nuggets Injuries And Expected Lineups
The Nuggets are a healthy unit with no names listed on their injury report, and as far as their predicted five go, they might field an unchanged unit from the last game.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G), Jamal Murray (G), Michael Porter Jr. (F), Aaron Gordon (F), and Nikola Jokic (C) look to be the likely starters.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Predictions
While one more win for the Lakers looks to be a mere formality, it’s hard to see how James and Davis will let this pass, especially at home. Make no mistake, the Nuggets have been brilliant since the start of the season, while the Lakers have clawed their way back from obscurity.
As far as predictions go, we would back the Lakers to take this contest, primarily due to the fact that they would want to at least bow out with one or two wins. At this point, it’s all about heart, and the Lakers have shown that in generous doses. Can they muster up enough to make one final push?
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