In a surprising pivot from his season-long narrative, sports analyst Skip Bayless has changed his tune on the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances in the upcoming NBA Western Conference finals rematch against the Denver Nuggets. Known for his critical perspective on the LA throughout the year, Bayless now believes that the team is poised to not only challenge but defeat the reigning champions.
During a recent discussion on “Undisputed” alongside Paul Pierce and Keyshawn Johnson, Bayless expressed his newfound optimism. “The LA are going to win tomorrow night, and they’re going to win this series in six games,” he asserted. The reason? According to Bayless, “The basketball gods have tapped LeBron James on the shoulder. I believe they have blessed him.”
This bold prediction comes ahead of the much-anticipated series kickoff on a prime time Saturday night in Denver, set for 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.
Nuggets’ Recent Stumbles Offer Lakers a Silver Lining
Despite the Lakers’ less-than-stellar track record against the Nuggets in recent matchups, Bayless’s confidence in an upset is fueled by Denver’s unexpected loss to the underperforming San Antonio Spurs on April 12. This stumble by the Nuggets may have opened a window of opportunity for the LA, who are eager to avenge last year’s playoffs defeat where they were swept by Denver.
Regular Season Recap: Nuggets Dominate, Lakers Look to Rebound
Historically, the matchups haven’t been in favor of the Lakers. In the last face-offs, Denver has maintained a strong upper hand, including a sweep during last year’s Western Conference finals which propelled them to an eventual championship victory.
This season continued much of the same narrative, with the Nuggets winning all three encounters against the Lakers. Notably, on opening night when the Nuggets celebrated their championship with ring ceremonies, Nikola Jokic led his team to a convincing 119-107 victory with a triple-double performance.
Subsequent games on February 8 and March 2 only solidified Denver’s dominance, with standout performances from Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., leaving the Lakers searching for answers.
The Lakers’ Counter: LeBron and Davis Key to Victory
For the Lakers to shift the narrative, they’ll rely heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This season, LeBron has been consistent against Denver, averaging 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. Similarly, Davis has put up solid numbers with averages of 22.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
KINGS AND WARRIORS MISS THE PLAYOFFS
I GOT MY JOY BACK 😁 pic.twitter.com/IYHkpubW5a
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) April 20, 2024
While many analysts continue to favor the Nuggets to reach the finals again, Bayless stands out with his contrarian view, placing his faith in a Lakers upset led by a seemingly divinely inspired LeBron James. As the series approaches, all eyes will be on these two teams to see if the Lakers can indeed turn the tide against the formidable Denver Nuggets.
