Can Anthony Davis Outplay Nikola Jokic? A Lakers/Nuggets Western Conference Finals Preview

The Denver Nuggets have been the best team in the Western Conference all season long. The Lakers were a dumpster fire-turned-contender at the deadline and have been among the NBA's best since reshaping their roster. Both teams have made it through the first two rounds in (by NBA standards) relatively easy fashion.

So in this rematch of the 2020 Bubble Western Conference Finals, who has the advantage as the series opens tonight in Denver?

The Nuggets are more rested, enjoying the benefits of having wrapped up the conference pretty early. The Lakers are tested, having essentially played playoff games for the last two months. That has allowed them, perhaps to improve faster than a team assembled on the fly normally would, but also leaves them open to fatigue, especially given the guys leading them.

And what does LeBron James have left for this series? How much will a series guarding Nikola Jokic wear down Anthony Davis? Can the Lakers find ways to move Davis off the two-time MVP? Can the Lakers find ways to attack Jamal Murray, and wear him down over the course of a series?

If it comes down to supporting characters, which team is more likely to thrive?

These questions and more in a Conference Finals Preview Crossover with Adam Mares, host of Locked on Nuggets.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: How did these teams get here? Has either really been tested?

SEGMENT 2: Davis vs. Jokic. Can the Lakers find ways to slow down Jokic without having to keep Davis on him? Can the Lakers try to exploit Jokic by making him work as a help defender?

SEGMENT 3: X-factors. What about the supporting casts? The role of fatigue?

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