NBA Western Conference Championship crown will be given to one of the top two teams from the regular season. These two teams look to be headed in different directions entering this series. Denver has been dominant and since the playoffs started really have not had one disappointing performance. On the other hand the Lakers come off a very disappointing series that saw there defensive effort come and go. Craig is going to give a quick breakdown, winning keys, and prediction in this Western Conference Championship Series.

The LA Lakers have been the public and oddsmakers favorite all season long but the last series has shown a chink in the armor. Lucky for LA that Denver is not a lock down defending team and will play an up and down game that the Lakers love playing. Kobe will love to get away from Houston and there physical defensive pressure. The key for the Lakers in this series is simple: consistent defensive effort and defensive rebounding. This team at times tries to outscore teams and does not come with the effort needed to win in the playoffs.

Denver could not possibly be playing any better than they have thus far in the playoffs. Defensive intensity had been a problem for this team in years past. But with the trade acquiring Billups this team changed and started to become a very good defensive team. Most teams struggle to score with this high powered offensive powerhouse but in the regular season LA dominated the Nuggets winning 3 of 4 games. The keys for Denver in this Western Confernce Championship series is to wear the Lakers out with there depth. The Lakers starters match up very well with Denver but the Nuggets have a better bench. This really becomes an advantage in the thin mile high air of Denver.

This series will be very hard fought and most likely will go seven games. Even though the Lakers are coming off a disappointing series with Houston, Craig is taking the Lakers in 7 games. The tough series strengthen the resolve of this LA team and they now realize that no one will give them a win or a series.

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