2009 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets, Series Preview

Information about games of the L.A. Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets series in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, with score, recap, pictures, stats, highlights, quotes and Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol performance.

Los Angeles Lakers

2009 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

Series Index:

Game 1: Lakers 105, Nuggets 103 at L.A.   Game recap & pictures
Game 2: Nuggets 106, Lakers 103 at L.A   Game recap & pictures
Game 3: Lakers 103, Nuggets 97 at Denver   Game recap & pictures
Game 4: Nuggets 120, Lakers 101 at Denver   Game recap & pictures
Game 5: Lakers 103, Nuggets 94 at Los Angeles   Game recap & pictures
Game 6: Lakers 119, Nuggets 92 at Denver   Game recap & pictures

Back to Playoffs 2009

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Western Conference Finals - Series Preview

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

Series Preview

Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets

May 18: The Lakers needed 7 games to eliminate the Rockets and will have just 2 days of rest before facing the Denver Nuggets in the 2009 Western Conference Finals.

Lakers and Nuggers have played 4 times in playoffs, including the Conference Finals of 1985 and a 4-0 swept last year. The Lakers won every time with a total of 12 wins and 2 losses.

The arrival of Chauncy Billups from Detroit in a midseason trade for Allen Iverson transformed the Nuggets who so far have lost only two games in these playoffs. They defeated the Hornets 4-1 and the Marvericks also 4-1.

The keys to the series:

- Pau Gasol who was great in game 7 against the Rockets with 21 points and 18 rebounds will have to continue being agressive in the post where he will have to deal with Kenyon Martin's defense.

- Kobe Bryant will surely be happy to have left Artest and Battier in the past.

- Trevor Ariza will try to stop Denver's top scorer Carmelo Anthony.

- Will Andrew Bynum stay out of foul trouble and raise his game after struggling against undersized centers against the Jazz and Rockets? Nene and the "Birdman" Chris Andersen have the answer.

Back to 2009 Playoffs