LAL vs DEN Dream11: NBA is heading towards the Playoffs and with each day, the time to make a big winning run is only shortening with the way things are going, it seems like many of the rankings will be cleared on the last day of the Regular Season. In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns have established their supremacy, getting an unassailable lead as the first-ranked team. On the other hand, the Memphis Grizzlies are also going to finish in the second spot most likely. However, some teams have been thrown out of contention for even the Play-in tournament while others are on the fringes. And one of the fringe teams in the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Denver Nuggets here.
The Lakers have played some terrible brand of basketball this season and their fanbase has been hurt for all of the season. It started when the team started the season on a low note and they have only become worse with each month.
On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets have been driven by Nikola Jokic, someone who has lodged himself as the legend of this game. Despite some inconsistent play from other players, Nikola has kept it going on because he is surely one of the most consistent performers.
Host: LA Lakers
Visitors: Denver Nuggets
Match Timing: 4 April, @ 01:00 AM
Venue: Crypto.com Arena
Match-ups
The Lakers have been pushed by the quality Centers and Nikola Jokic has been doing a lot of damage in the middle. Jokic has been in superb rhythm all season long and that is one match-up that should go Nuggets’ way. The Lakers will of course be stronger if both LeBron and Anthony Davis play here because without them, the defense, rebounding, playmaking, and scoring all will be hurt which will make for a weakened Lakers team. The Nuggets have seen improved performance from the bench and that is mostly due to the high production of Bones Hyland.
Aaron Gordon can also pose match-up problems to the Lakers and dealing with Jokic is difficult enough in itself. Will Barton has been a bit up-and-down for the Nuggets but he can do much more than just be an offensive player. Meanwhile, Monte Morris has been a dependable shooter for the Denver outfit. For the Lakers, Monk has been getting it done but Westbrook has a tendency to struggle when playing alongside LeBron and Davis, he looks much more comfortable when alongside LeBron or when both these players are out.
Los Angeles Lakers (11th in West) | Denver Nuggets (6th in West)
Games: 76 | 78
Wins: 31 | 46
Defeats: 45 | 32
Los Angeles Lakers Team News
Lakers Expected Starting Five
Big-Forward: SF: Trevor Ariza / LeBron James | PF: Stanley Johnson / PF: Anthony Davis
Middle: C: Dwight Howard
Guards: PG: Russell Westbrook | SG: Avery Bradley
BENCH: Austin Reaves, Malik Monk, Wenyen Gabriel, Wayne Ellington, DJ Augustin, Kent Bazemore, Sekou Doumbouya.
Denver Nuggets Team News
Nuggets Expected Starting Five
Wings: PF: Jeff Green | SF: Will Barton
Middle: C PF: Aaron Gordon| C: Nikola Jokic
Guard: PG: Monte Morris
BENCH: Bones Hyland, JaMychal Green, Bryn Forbes, Austin Rivers, Davon Reed, Marcus Howard, Facundo Campazzo, Zeke Nnaji.
Anthony Davis(LAL)
Points: 23
Rebounds: 12
Assists: 06
Steals: 01
Anthony Davis returned in the last game after an injury and showed what he is capable of what when he is available. The Center has usually been in 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 1+ steal range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 39-52
Nikola Jokic(DEN)
Points: 38
Rebounds: 19
Assists: 08
Steals: 01
Center Jokic is having another MVP-level season and he leads the Nuggets in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The big has mostly been in 28+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 6-10 assists range. He can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 50-68
LeBron James(LAL)
Points: 38
Rebounds: 08
Assists: 04
Steals: 01
LeBron has been a force whenever he has played and he has carried the most amount of offensive load for the team. LeBron has mostly been in 36-39 points, 8-10 rebounds, and 4-7 assists range. He is QUESTIONABLE here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 45-56
Aaron Gordon(DEN)
Points: 24
Rebounds: 05
Assists: 03
Big Forward Aaron Gordon has done a great job as a frontline scorer along with Aaron while giving decent rebounding. The Power Forward has mostly been in 20-24 points and 5-9 rebounds range recently.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 27-40
Russell Westbrook(LAL)
Points: 12
Rebounds: 04
Assists: 05
Point Guard Russell has been doing much better than the previous month but his production decreases when both LeBron and Davis are active. He is in 10-15 points, 4-7 rebounds, and 3-6 assists when those two are playing and when he is alongside side LeBron or playing without him, he is usually in 20-25 points, 6-10 rebounds, and 5-10 assists range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 22-46
Will Barton(DEN)
Points: 08
Rebounds: 05
Assists: 04
Off-guard Will has been an all-around player but he has the tendency to have cool shooting streaks every now and then. Barton has mostly been in 17-18 points, 4-6 rebounds, and 4-7 assists range these days.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 24-36
(If LeBron plays)
PG: M Morris
SG: M Monk, N Bones Hyland
SF: L James(PP)
PF: J Green, J Green
C: D Howard, N Jokic(SP)
(If LeBron doesn’t play but Anthony Davis does)
PG: M Morris
SG: M Monk, N Bones Hyland
SF: S Johnson
PF: J Green
C: D Howard, N Jokic(SP), A Davis(PP)
(If both LeBron and Davis are OUT)
PG: M Morris, R Westbrook(PP)
SG: M Monk, W Barton
SF: S Johnson
PF: J Green
C: D Howard, N Jokic(SP)
Isn’t it fun watching Nikola Jokic dominating the opposition! In a piece of terrible news for NBA fans in India, this game can’t be watched on streaming platforms JIO TV and Voot. What is the best way catch to all the games? It is by downloading or accessing the NBA League Pass. If you purchase the annual subscription, you can have all live games, and apart from the live games, you also can grab the full game replay if you are not able to catch the live stream. To know the scores, stats, and news, go to the official website of the NBA.
