The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the winningest franchises in NBA history, only the Boston Celtics have won as much as they have. And they are now two more series wins away from getting another championship to their name.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been balling out, but the supporting cast has been the hero so far in the playoffs. And while the Lakers have momentum, they also have some fun facts from history strengthening their case.
The last two times the Lakers faced the Nuggets in the Conference Finals, they eventually won it all.
Will history repeat itself for a third time? 👀 pic.twitter.com/aaYsRN155P
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 13, 2023
The Lakers and the Nuggets clashed in the Western Conference Finals in 2009, with Kobe Bryant en route to winning his first championship without Shaquille O’Neal. The Nuggets put up a tough fight but lost in six games against the Lakers. Carmelo Anthony averaged nearly 28 points per game but Kobe Bryant was on another level, averaging 34. The Lakers then beat the Orlando Magic 4-1 in the Finals.
In 2020, the situation was wildly different. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were dominating, AD was averaging over 31 points per game, while LeBron James was averaging 27 points per game. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray weren’t able to do much, and the Lakers won five games, before beating the Miami Heat 4-2 in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers are facing a much different Nuggets team, they are fully healthy and have the right role players around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic has also won two MVPs since that loss, so his confidence and ability are both a level above what they were then. But if history is to repeat itself, that would be quite ideal for the Lakers.
Many Believe The Lakers Can Beat The Nuggets This Season
The playoffs are impossible to predict once they reach this point in the season. But the Lakers feel like they can beat anyone at this point. There were reports that the franchise believed they could beat the Grizzlies and the Nuggets in the playoffs, and they already did one of those things. Draymond Green also seems to think the Lakers will get the win against Denver.
“It’ll be a good series. Ultimately, Denver ready, man. I think Denver is ready, like Denver is taking that next step, they’re doing it, we’re watching it, but I think we’re going to have a rerun of 2020 and I think the Lakers will take it. I got the Lakers, I got the Lakers in 6. Closing out at home in six.”
There have already been some upsets in the Eastern Conference, so a 7th seed knocking out the 1st seed wouldn’t be too surprising either. The series is going to be incredibly fun to watch and one that will certainly add a lot to the legacy of whoever wins it.
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