Lakers vs Nuggets Series Preview: Previous Matchups, Key Players, and Schedule

• LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Lakers to a 4-2 series win over the Warriors
• Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray powered the Nuggets to a 4-2 series win over the Suns
• The Lakers and the Nuggets split their regular season series

The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals with a resounding Game 6 victory over the Golden State Warriors, ultimately winning the series 4-2.

The Lakers will next face the Denver Nuggets, who also won their conference semifinals series in six games after beating the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

Sports Brief breaks down the upcoming playoff series between the Lakers and the Nuggets.

Previous meetings this season 

The Lakers and the Nuggets tied their regular season series at two games apiece. Denver won the first meeting 110-99 on October 26 behind Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double.

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers Series Preview: Previous matchups, key players, and schedule

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The Lakers won their next two meetings against the Nuggets by an average of 14.5 points. They beat Denver 121-110 on October 30 before crushing the Nuggets 126-108 on December 16.

The Nuggets salvaged a split, beating the Lakers in their series finale 122-109 on January 9.

Key players for the Lakers 

For the Lakers to advance to the NBA Finals, they will need LeBron James and Anthony Davis to play outstanding basketball.

The Lakers duo delivered in the second-round series against the Warriors. James averaged 24.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game in the playoff series against Golden State.

Davis also stuffed the stat sheet in that series, averaging 21.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game against the Warriors. They will look to do the same in the upcoming series against the Nuggets.

Key players for the Nuggets

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray wreaked havoc in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

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Jokic recorded three triple-doubles in the series against the Suns. He saved the best for last, racking up 32 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and one block in Game 6 against Phoenix.

Murray punished the Suns’ defense, averaging 24.8 points per game. He scored 24 points in the series clincher.

Jokic loved playing against the Lakers this season. He averaged 23.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.8 assists in four meetings with Los Angeles this campaign. 

Series schedule 

Game 1: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (May 16, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (May 18, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Game 3: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers, Crypto.com Arena (May 20, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Game 4: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers, Crypto.com Arena (May 22, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (May 24, 8:30 p.m. ET) *

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Game 6: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers, Crypto.com Arena (May 26, 8:30 p.m. ET) *

Game 7: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (May 28, 8:30 p.m. ET) *

 * If necessary

Fans pay tribute to Tatum

Sports Brief recently reported on the fans’ reactions to Tatum delivering an incredible performance in Game 7 of the Celtics-Sixers series. 

They paid tribute to Tatum, who scored 51 points in the winner-take-all contest. 

He scored 17 of his 51 points in the third quarter of Game 7 against Philadelphia.