Our Picks For Game 3 of the Western Conference Championship

By Shawn Stewart, Keegan Singh, and AJ Olona

Lost Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets (Lakers lead series at 2-0)

9:00 pm EST on ESPN

Lakers, -6.5

The Nuggets enter Game 3 of the Western Conference Championship down once again. Every series that the Nuggets have played in has seen them start off on the losing end in the 2020 NBA playoffs. While the Nuggets looked much more confident and competitive in Game 2, Anthony Davis’ miracle shot was too much to handle. Only in the 3rd game of the series, this one already feels like a must win for the Nuggets. While they have had success so far coming back and tying series, being down three games to Lakers would likely seal the deal for their Championship run.

The Lakers have been pretty successful thus far throughout the playoffs. When they are winning, they are scoring 118.2 points a game compared to just 95 points per game in their losses. Game 2 was the first game that the Lakers have played in the 2020 playoffs that they won in which they didn’t score at least 110 points against their opponents. Despite a strong start, the Lakers came out very flat in the second half in Game 2. Relying on Anthony Davis hitting a buzzer beater is not always going to be a recipe for success.

Nugget’s guard Jamal Murray (27) attempts to drive against Laker’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1). (Photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Shawn’s Take:

Through two games, and much of the playoffs, we have seen what this Lakers team is capable of. The Lakers entire team runs through Anthony Davis with LeBron James happily playing the sidekick. This proves to be more true when you look at the last play that the Lakers drew up to win it in Game 2. That play was drawn up specifically for Davis and James happily conceded. Gone are the days in which everything must run through LeBron. The Lakers have built a fantastic 1-2 punch that can cover on both ends of the court, and that 1-2 punch is just that much better than the Nugetts’ in Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.

Shawn’s Prediction: LOS ANGELES LAKERS WIN

AJ’s Take:

If there is anything that we can take away from the playoffs so far, its that we can never count out the Denver Nuggets. After a very competitive game in which the Lakers needed a last second 3 point shot by Anthony Davis of all people, the Nuggets must feel good about themselves. While it is hard to ever feel good after a loss, the Nuggets proved that they will be able to keep up. Through the second half of Game 2, the Nuggets were able to take control of the game. If they can once again hold the Lakers to under 110 points, they have a very good chance of tacking on a win tonight. They are going to need Michael Porter Jr. and Paul Millsap to step up. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are carrying the entire team at this point. On the other end of the ball, the Lakers are having a hard time drawing up and offensive push outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. If the Nuggets can make it a collaborative effort, they will add on another come from behind win that has become a staple for them throughout the 2020 playoffs.

AJ’s Prediction: DENVER NUGGETS WIN

Keegan’s Take:

After a nail-biting finish to Game 2, it seems as if Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Nuggets could go either way. In Game 2, both teams shot an average percentage from the field, with the Lakers scoring at a field goal percentage of 44.6% and the Nuggets scoring at 47.3%. The Lakers, who have shot terribly from three since entering the bubble in Orlando, have seemingly gotten the three ball to fall more as of late and are shooting around 39% from the three this series alone. This is worrying for the Nuggets, as they are already not a great interior defensive team. If the role players of the Lakers continue to score from three consistently along with LeBron and Anthony Davis putting up their numbers, I can’t see the Nuggets stealing a game here. As good as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been in the playoffs, the Nuggets as a team don’t seem to have an answer defensively for both LeBron and Anthony Davis. The Lakers took their foot off the gas in the second half of game two, which allowed the Nuggets to comeback into the game. As good as the Nuggets have been in the playoffs, I think this series is well and truly over and the Lakers will blow them out in game 3. I see the Lakers winning by 15.

Keegans’s Prediction: LOS ANGELES LAKERS WIN

Follow A.J. on twitter @age_lona and Shawn @ShawnSportsNut.