This year’s NBA playoffs is turning out to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. There was the first round matchup between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, which featured seven overtimes in seven games. There was also the second round matchup between the L.A. Lakers and Houston Rockets, in which the Rockets gave the favorites a scare by forcing a game seven despite the absence of their marquee players Yao Ning and Tracy McGrady. The Conference Finals also do not disappoint, with the Orlando Magic-Cleveland Cavaliers and L.A. Lakers-Denver Nuggets mathcup each tied a game apiece, with all the games decided by three points or under.

In the West, playoffs favorites Lakers were shocked by the Nuggets in Game 2, when Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups and scoring dynamo Carmelo Anthony aggressively drove the lane, and combined for 23 free throws made. With Denver leading 106-103 in the dying seconds of the game, Lakers could have tied the score with a three point attempt, which ultimately fell short.

Needless to say, the Lakers are in for a tough series. With everyone expecting the Lakers to pick the Nuggets apart, the Nuggets are fighting back despite a bruised and battered team.

For the third game (tomorrow morning), Denver has a slight advantage over the defending Western Conference Champs. The Nuggets have been strong when playing in their home court, and this will be expected in tomorrow’s game. And with the close first game and the win in the second, they certainly have high morale, with the knowledge that the Lakers are beatable, even at their own turf. In order for them to seal the third game, Denver has to contain Kobe Bryant (not shut out, as Bryant is too good an offensive player), while making sure that L.A. shooters do not get clear shots. They have to pound the ball inside, either on the post (With Nene Hilario and Kenyon Martin) or through driving the lane (with Billups and Anthony).

But one should never count the Lakers out. They are one of the strongest away teams in the league (although they have struggled against a depleted Rockets team when not playing in their home court). What the Lakers need to do is to control the boards, and for their bench to pick up the slack whenever Kobe Bryant is struggling with his shots. Defensively, they have to clog the lanes, and that’s where big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum come in.

One thing is for sure, we can ecpect an exciting third game between the two great teams, with Denver being the slight favorite, on account of their home court advantage.