Looking to start a new streak

The West-leading Los Angeles Lakers got hit hard with the Luka Doncic wrecking tour on Monday. They saw their 10-game winning streak go up in flames against the Dallas Mavericks, who overwhelmed them through a second half barrage beat them on their home turf, 114-100. The Lakers fell to 17-3 instead of setting a franchise record for most wins through a 20-game start.

As the Lakers try to build a new string of victories, LeBron James (25.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 10.8 APG) and Anthony Davis (26.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.8 BPG) will be the key components. The hurdle will be much bigger than the ones they have previously faced since momentum isn’t on their side and the high altitudes of Denver are known for shackling visitors.

Defensively, the superstar duo and its supporting cast are in for an intense chase. It will be interesting to see them try to prove how tough that third-ranked defense really is.

Davis, Dwight Howard, and JaVale Mcgee enter a challenging match-up with all-around big man Nikola Jokic, while the guards could have a long night containing the balanced attack of Jamal Murray and his skilled swingmen.

The Lakers are 8-1 on the road, averaging 114.7 PPG and in turn, give up 110.4 PPG.

Back home

The Denver Nuggets are back home after a stop in Sacramento. Like the Lakers, they also let their streak get broken as they lost to the Kings in a tight game, 100-97. The Nuggets are 13-4, right behind the Lakers in the Western Conference standings.

The aggressive, eager, and youthful attack led by Jamal Murray (18.5 PPG) and Nikola Jokic (15.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 6 APG) will be an intriguing blend against the LeBron and AD-led squad. The Nuggets’ tandem power an offense that prefers to slow the game down and mix up plays through Jokic’s low-post abilities and the variety of shooters and slashers around him, which includes Murray.

Joining Murray and Jokic are a bevy of capable scorers that can produce inside and out. Paul Millsap, Gary Harris, and Will Barton, just to name a few, each pose a big demand to defenders.

The Nuggets have won eight of their 10 games at home this season. They also rank first in points allowed, field goals allowed, defensive efficiency, and opponent three-point shooting.

PREDICTION:

The Nuggets hound the Lakers with great defense and earn a 109-99 win.

If the Lakers were to win, LeBron must be in his lights-out, takeover mode.