Experts' picks for Lakers-Nuggets in the Western Conference finals
It's not the battle of Los Angeles that many around the league expected, but here we are.
After making NBA history with consecutive comebacks from 3-1 series deficits, the Denver Nuggets take the postseason's most unlikely run into a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
And no, despite Nuggets head coach Michael Malone's tongue-in-cheek plea to start the series down 3-1, the Western Conference finals gives Denver a clean slate for more bubble magic. The Nuggets probably need it against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the heavily favored Lakers.
What's in store with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line? Our experts are unveiling their predictions for Lakers-Nuggets.
Note: Experts' picks for the Eastern Conference finals were posted before Game 1 between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
MORE: What to expect from these unexpected West finals
Western Conference finals
Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Denver Nuggets (3)
Jerry Bembry: Lakers in 6
Tim Bontemps:Lakers in 6
Nick DePaula: Lakers in 6
Nick Friedell:Lakers in 5
Kirk Goldsberry: Lakers in 7
Andrew Han:Lakers in 6
Chris Herring:Lakers in 7
Andrew Lopez:Lakers in 6
Zach Lowe:Lakers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Lakers in 6
Bobby Marks: Nuggets in 7
Dave McMenamin:Lakers in 6
Kevin Pelton: Lakers in 5
Jorge Sedano:Lakers in 6
Ramona Shelburne:Lakers in 6
Andre' Snellings: Lakers in 6
Marc J. Spears:Lakers in 7
Jesse Washington:Lakers in 6
Eric Woodyard: Lakers in 6
Royce Young: Lakers in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk:Lakers in 6
Final tally:Lakers (20),Nuggets (1).
Eastern Conference finals
Boston Celtics (3) vs. Miami Heat(5)
Jerry Bembry: Heat in 7
Tim Bontemps: Celtics in 6
Nick DePaula:Heat in 6
Nick Friedell: Celtics in 6
Kirk Goldsberry: Heat in 6
Andrew Han: Heat in 6
Chris Herring: Celtics in 7
Andrew Lopez: Heat in 7
Zach Lowe: Celtics in 7
Tim MacMahon: Heat in 7
Bobby Marks: Heat in 6
Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 7
Kevin Pelton: Celtics in 7
Omar Raja: Heat in 7
Jorge Sedano: Heat in 7
Ramona Shelburne:Heat in 6
Andre' Snellings: Celtics in 7
Marc J. Spears: Celtics in 6
Jesse Washington: Celtics in 7
Eric Woodyard: Heat in 7
Royce Young: Celtics in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 7
Final tally:Celtics (11),Heat (11).
