Basketball / Andy Morris / 19 May 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

The Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Nuggets is being billed as the battle between Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony, writes Andy Morris.

If that is the case, the Lakers should come out on top in Game One.

During the season, Bryant averaged 31 points against the Nuggets, while Anthony could only average 14.5 against the Lakers. The Lakers took the season series 3-1.

Los Angeles is 13-2 all time in the playoffs against the Nuggets, and go into this one with some other stats in their favour.

Pau Gasol, their leading rebounder, has three more rebounds per game on average more than the Nuggets' leader in that category, Nene. And there is the not insignificant Phil Jackson factor - the Lakers coach is 201-88 in the playoffs in his career, contrasted with George Karl's 45.2 per cent return of 70-85.

The Lakers are an offensive machine, with Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum looking capable of taking the game to the Nuggets.

It's true that Dencer has breezed through two rounds of the playoffs, but beating the Lakers would be a really tall order, particularly if their big men get into foul trouble.

What the Lakers need to do is keep focused - no more 20-point deficits in the first quarter, or late lapses of concentration, this is about their need to find their killer instinct again.

Denver were praised for the way their defense handled the Mavericks in the last round, but in truth Dallas were too slow and predictable.

The Lakers should have the edge in this Game 1 clash with their overall team speed, well-rehearsed trap-releases and savvy ball-reversals.

With Gason, Bynum and Odom, they should be able to control their defensive glass and deny the put-backs and extra shots that Denver was able to use to their advantage against Dallas.

The Lakers should also put more pressure on the offensive glass than Denver has so far encountered in the playoffs.

Chauncey Billups' excellent man-to-man defense shouldn't bother Derek Fisher since the Lakers point guards usually get their shots within the context of the triangle offense and are hardly ever put into isolation situations.

Kobe has been there, done that, and remains the potent force of the Lakers. He should be more influential on this game than Anthony, and his offensive teammates, if they are on game, should be able to close this one out.

I'm backing the Lakers in match odds betting.