Ep. 15: Lakers-Nuggets Playoff Series Preview & Predictions with Cranjis McBasketball

In Episode 15, Jovan Buha welcomes Tim a.k.a. Cranjis McBasketball of the Lakers Exceptionalism podcast and BBall Index to preview the first-round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets.Jovan and Tim discuss one question for each team, one player X-factor for each team and one series X-factor before making our series prediction. We touch on Darvin Ham's playcalling, LA vs. Denver in the clutch, LeBron James' 3-point shooting, Denver's bench, Anthony Davis' two-way ask, D'Angelo Russell, Jamal Murray's shotmaking and more.Check out the Lakers Exceptionalism podcast here: Lakers ExceptionalismFollow Tim on YouTube: @LakersExceptionalism You can also follow him on Twitter: @Tim_NBAIf you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:(0:00) Intro(1:09) Tim’s Lakers question: Does Darvin Ham call plays at a high rate?(8:23) Jovan’s Lakers question: Can LA hang with Denver in the clutch?(13:11) Who should the Lakers close games with?(17:07) Jovan shares his out-of-the-box closing configuration(21:00) Tim counters but then starts to like the idea(24:06) Tim’s Nuggets question: Can their bench be effective?(28:09) Jovan’s Nuggets question: How does Denver handle this version of LeBron James?(32:44) Tim’s Lakers X-factor: Anthony Davis(38:38) Jovan’s Lakers X-factor: D’Angelo Russell(45:10) Tim’s Nuggets X-factor: Jamal Murray’s shotmaking(48:53) Jovan’s Nuggets X-factor: Michael Porter Jr.(52:38) Tim’s series X-factor: Which starting PG’s defense will be tested more?(57:26) Jovan’s series X-factor: Can LeBron and AD finally outplay Murray?(1:02:26) Jovan’s series prediction(1:05:45) Tim’s series prediction(1:10:03) Outro