LeBron James and Anthony Davis are superstars. But what helps make them such mega-stars is their all-around games. They are more than scoring machines. Both are excellent defenders and a big reason why the Lakers rank No. 2 defensively in the NBA giving up 105.2 points a game. 
After five straight home games, the Lakers are on the road. The Under has won in 12 of the Lakers' 14 road games this season. 
Denver is an above average defensive team ranking 12th giving up 111.2 points. The Nuggets have held their last two opponents, Cleveland and Oklahoma City, to 95 points apiece. Nuggets coach Michael Malone knows his team must have defensive intensity to beat the Lakers. I expect the Nuggets to have that after the Lakers defeated them in the Western Conference Finals last season and in the first meeting this season, 114-93, in LA on Feb. 4. 
The Nuggets led the Lakers at halftime in their meeting 10 days ago. But the Lakers stepped up their game in the second half to win by 21 points. The combined 207 points went Under the posted total of 217 by 10 points. The Nuggets should have learned from that recent loss that they must play better transition defense while staying motivated the entire game. 
I don't look for the Lakers to attack up-tempo. This is their fifth game in nine days with three of their past four games going into overtime. 
What I am expecting is playoff-type defense and intensity from both teams in this nationally televised (ESPN) matchup.