Game 1: Los Angeles Lakers 105 Denver Nuggets 103Analysis: This was an excellent Game 1 with Kobe and 'Melo trading blows and I expect the whole series to be as well played as this game. I really thought the Nuggets were going to pull this one out, but the Lakers made all the plays down the stretch and pulled this one out. The Nuggets lost this game for the following reasons: they were outrebounded by the Lakers 46-37, they missed 10 free throws while LA only missed 4, and the Lakers banged 11 threes. I don't think the Lakers role players will continue to knock down the outside shot like they did. Derek Fisher has been horrible lately, but managed to knock down 3 threes in this one and the bench alone nailed 5 threes for the Lakers. I don't see that happening again in Game 2. Another thing for the Nuggets was that J.R. Smith failed to score double-figures off the bench for the first time in these playoffs. Game 2 should be another good one and it will be interesting to see how the Nuggets respond after a deflating Game 1 loss.
Key Players of The Game
Kobe Bryant: Kobe was in attack mode all game and finished with 40 points on 13 of 28 shooting. He also had 6 rebounds and 4 assists and maybe most importantly he nailed 12 of his 13 free throws.
Carmelo Anthony: In my Western Conference Finals Preview, I mentioned that I thought we would see 'Melo at his best in this series and so far it looks like that's what we are going to get. 39 points on 14 of 20 shooting with 6 boards and 4 assists. Unfortunately it came in a loss.
Pau Gasol: I still think Pau is going to have to score more than the 13 points he had in this game, but the Lakers got away with it because of the 11 threes they got and the 27 points from the bench. I don't expect either of those trends to continue on a consistent basis, so the Lakers better hope to get more from Pau offensively. On the boards he was excellent though, pulling down 15.
Chauncey Billups: Billups hit some big shots in this game in the 4th quarter, but it wasn't enough to help the Nuggets come back. He finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Kenyon Martin/Nene: These two combined to shoot 13 of 23 from the floor for 29 points. They also had 13 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks between them. Definitely a good sign for the Nuggets.
Lakers Bench: They combine for 27 points, including 5 of 12 from downtown. Also, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. Other than Kobe, I think they had the biggest impact on this game being a W for the Lakers instead of an L
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