Lakers Win Tonight or Tank it to Have Metta in Rd. 2?

                                     

Tonight, the Lakers return to the Staples Center leading the Denver Nuggets 3 games to 1 in their playoff series. If the Lakers win they can expect to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round. This would also mean that after 5 playoff games and 1 last regular season game Metta World Peace has completed all but one game left on his 7-game suspension for elbowing the beard off the Thunder's James Harden on April 22. 

So the question is can the Lakers survive the faster, more athletic OKC team without Metta's defensive prowess for at least the first game? 

They could always tank Game 5 win Game 6 and have Metta available for Game 1 against the Thunder. If this was the WWE it could be so but considering that Denver's high altitude wears on the Lakers bigs it would be in their best interest to close out the well-coached plucky Nuggets at home tonight and make do without Metta to start the next series. Not having Metta may not be a disadvantage at all. 

In the Lakers two losses against the Thunder during the regular season, Metta played in both games and didn't score or rebound in double digits. In the third and final meeting Metta was playing well and became the catalyst for the Lakers surge. Unfortunately, after 18 minutes on the floor, a righteous dunk over two OKC players and one excessive celebration that lead to Metta winding up and decking Harden on the side of the head sending him to the floor he was sent to the showers and into Commissioner Stern's awaiting consternation.

The Lakers went on to win that game lead by Kobe Bryant's tenacity and determination but ultimately Metta was not absolutely necessary. His tight defense on Kevin Durant is always expected and helps but no one can shut this season's leading scorer from getting his points. Only through a consistent team effort of rebounding and team defense can you slow the Thunder down. Lakers have to limit fast break opportunities and attack the middle of the paint. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum can do that despite the Thunder's undersized Kendrick Perkins and shot-blocker Serge Ibaka. 

The best thing is for the Lakers to close out the Nuggets tonight and rest for the next round. Having a healthy, clear-headed Metta World Peace and your full roster at Coach Mike Brown's disposal is ideal but for at least one opening game the Lakers already have proven they can beat Oklahoma City without him.