Five Things to Watch Battle on the boards
1 Brow vs. Big Honey
After spending the last series toying with a Clippers team that had no one to guard him, Nikola Jokic goes up against a Lakers front line loaded with options in 7- footer JaVale McGee, future Hall of Famer Dwight Howard ( 6- 11), and first- team All- Defense pick Anthony Davis ( 6- 10). All eyes will be on the latter given that Davis ( first team) finished ahead of Joker ( second team) in All- NBA voting at center.
2
If there’s one thing L. A. does exceptionally well, it’s crash the boards. The Lakers were third in the NBA in rebounding differential during the season ( plus- 3.4), are first during the postseason ( plus- 9.1) and they out- boarded the Nuggets 182156 in four meetings, including 56 offensive rebounds. For a team with below- average shooting from the 3- point land ( 35.9% in playoffs) and freethrow lines ( 72.7%), those extra possessions are critical.
3 Playoff Rondo
It’s entirely possible Jamal Murray cannot be guarded by man or beast. But if there’s one person who might be able to make things difficult on the Blue Arrow, it’s Playoff Rajon Rondo. The veteran guard routinely elevates his game in the postseason, and that’s been no different in the bubble, where he’s averaging 10.6 ppg, 7.0 apg and 2.0 spg in 26.6 minutes. He just made life miserable for Rockets star James Harden. Can he do the same with Murray?
4 Supporting players
The Lakers went 3- 1 against the Nuggets this season, but throw one result out because LeBron didn’t play ( 128- 104 Denver, Dec. 22) and another because Denver appeared to be actively trying to lose ( 124121 L. A., Aug. 10). In the other two games, the Lakers’ bench outscored its Nuggets counterparts 80- 55. Of course, MPJ didn’t play in either one of those contests. So maybe we shouldn’t count those, either?
5 Starting slow
The Nuggets became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3- 1 deficit twice in one postseason. As great as that story is, there’s little doubt coach Michael Malone would rather not have to pull off a third straight miracle. Maybe take Game 1 this time.