The bad news is, what was once a 3-1 series lead over the Denver Nuggets has turned into a 3-3 tie in the blink of an eye with Game 7 looming tomorrow night at Staples Center.
The good news, however, is that all will be "peaceful" in the City of Angels for the big game.
At least, a good majority would like to hope that's the case.
After serving a six-game suspension that was enforced from elbowing Oklahoma City's James Harden in the head, Lakers forward Metta World Peace will return to the Lakers' lineup tomorrow as Los Angeles looks to avoid becoming only the ninth team ever to allow a team to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.
If there's any game that would be fitting for World Peace to grace us with his presence, it's a Game 7. He's been known to make big plays in big-time moments in the playoffs since he joined the Lakers a few years ago, and it's become apparent that Los Angeles misses his toughness and defense.
But the problem, simply, is that his toughness and lock-down defense won't solve the other problems that are brewing for the Lakers right now.
For the good portion of the last two games, the Nuggets have had Los Angeles' number in every facet. Other than the late explosion from Kobe Bryant in Game 5, Denver has been dominant.
JaVale McGee and Andrew Bynum have played role-reversal throughout this series, where McGee has owned Bynum on both sides of the floor more times than not. The situation's gone from Bynum being cocky and saying close-out games are "easy," to being shown sitting at the end of the bench in Game 6 looking defeated and pathetic.
And it's becoming more clear by the second that McGee will be earning a good amount of money this summer from any team that needs a center, whereas it's looking more like trading Bynum for Dwight How...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
