Grizzlies vs Raptors NBA Handicapping
The Lakers will be in the playoffs when the blanks are replaced by real bullets come the middle of April. At least that what Kobe Bryant says.
Los Angeles Lakers (28-29) at Denver Nuggets (35-22)
Monday, Feb. 25
Pepsi Center, Denver
9 p.m. EST
Nuggets -7 and O/U 217 at Bovada
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Truth be told, Bryant’s Lakers are playing better as they head into the second game of a back-to-back road set tonight in Denver. Bryant went off for 38 (plus 12 rebounds and 7 assists) in a win over the Mavericks in Dallas on Sunday.
Los Angeles now has three wins in a row in its pouch (also, 4 of 5 and 5 of 7) as it continues to make some noise and figure out a way to avoid the draft lottery.
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A win tonight and Laker nation could breathe a big sigh of relief as Kobe & Co. would pull back to .500 at 29-29, and the last time they could say that we were still digesting our Thanksgiving turkey.
Laker coach Mike D’Antoni had to tighten his rotation to get it done in Dallas.
Bryant played more than 38 minutes and Steve Nash more than 33. Metta World Peace logged more than 36 chasing around Dirk Nowitzki, who still scored 30. LA could play a big price tonight for the big minutes that its core was forced to play last night.
So, has Kobe nailed it? Will the Lakers – currently 2.5 games behind Houston and 3.5 behind Utah – have enough juice left to steal the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference? [ad-6571516]
The remaining 25 games are pretty much evenly divided between teams with winning records (12) and losing records (13). Dwight Howard says he is finally rounding into game shape (thoughtful of the big guy) and for the first time all season there seems to be a sense of urgency.
“The Lakers aren’t a playoff team right now,” noted Denver coach George Karl, “but they’re playing like one.”
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You can only play the games on your schedule, but we’re sure the Lakers would rather be in Phoenix or Sacramento tonight as they continue to push a heavy rock up a steep hill.
Denver has won 8 in a row at home since an improbable loss to the Wizards in mid-January, and overall this season they are 23-3. The Nuggets are in fifth in the conference, but feel they have more than a puncher’s chance at catching the Grizzlies for the No. 4 spot, which would give them a Game 7 at home in the first round if it comes to that.
Denver has had a few days off and is settling in for a stretch in which they will play 7 of their next 10 at the Pepsi Center.
DENVER 114, LOS ANGELES 102.
