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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12TH LOS ANGELES @ DENVER
PICK: LAKERS – 2.5 (-107) - - - 2 UNITS
I suspect many of you will assume this is a square play, but you may be surprised I think a lot of people will back Denver here. Denver always manages to play well against Los Angeles and coming off their most embarrassing loss in years a lot of the public suspect the Nuggets to come out with a vengeance on TNT. The only think I am banking on is the fact that Los Angeles realizes that as well and mentally prepares themselves for a battle tonight. Lakers are under some scrutiny as well for 2 very “ugly” wins at home vs Toronto and Minnesota. I watched both games in their entirety and I have to honestly say I thought Toronto and Minnesota really brought it hard to the champs. Toronto was running the break to perfection and hitting a lot of shots, they deserved to keep that game close and did just that. Minnesota changed up their rotation and finally decided to play Love the minutes he deserved. He responded with a monster game and dominated the champs on the boards. The Lakers committed a lot of turnover that game and were sloppy at times. The champs were not delighted with their performance. Ron Artest even stated that the game vs Denver is a must win because of their effort or lack thereof vs Minnesota. Los Angeles is undefeated this season for a reason, their starting 5 is playing their best basketball and the Lakers bench is leaps and bounds better then it was last year. Los Angeles just matches up against Denver. Fisher who will be starting his 299 th consecutive game in a row is a great defender at the 1 and will limit Mr big shot tonight. Kobe and Afflalo always battle and Aaron does play Kobe quite well, the snake charmer seems to get angry when matched up against Afflalo in the past. Anger accelerates Kobe’s game, it doesn't frustrate him. Ron Artest is playing the best defense of his career. Yes bold statement but I don't remember ever seeing Ron this focused on stopping an opponent. He already has 16 steals on the season and absolute thief thus far. He limited Brandon Roy to a season low 8 points on 1-6 shooting recently and completely had the all-star locked down. Tonight I think he could be key against the Denver wings Mello, J.R and Afflalo. Lamar Odom is stepping up this season, this guy has limitless talent and is always taking a back-seat to Pau and Kobe but is just as talented in his own way. An al-star in my opinion and tonight Selden Williams will not be able to contain Odom who is currently 9th in the league in rebounds grabbing about 11 a game. Pau and Nene always battle down low but it is always Gasol who seems to get the better of the man formerly known as Hilario. The starters just dominate in my opinion matchup wise. Off the bench it used to be Denver that held the punch over the Lakers, J.R, Harrington, Lawson are a solid trio off the bench but Barnes, Walton, Blake, Brown and Ratliff will out-produce the Denver bench tonight. Lakers are stronger then Denver and in my opinion better prepared for this matchup. The Lakers have had a long home stand and been in California all season long except for their trip to Phoenix. They have practiced consistently and have had ample time to prepare for this western conference showdown. Denver on the other hand is coming off 6 day road trip and got back to Denver just yesterday. That skipped practice to allow for rest but after a 31 point loss I am not too sure that was a good idea. Denver has not been great on 1 days rest recently and even worst on 1 days rest at home after a long road trip. Lakers are the better team we all know that, but what type of mentality will Denver show up with after that embarrassment in Indiana? Tonight we find out the real mental fortitude of the Denver Nuggets.
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