Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Prediction: Combined starting 5 featuring LeBron James and Nikola Jokic

Forward - LeBron James (LA Lakers)

Los Angeles Lakers leader LeBron James

The LA Lakers have the best defense in the NBA and are once again favorites to take the Western Conference. No combined starting 5 would be complete without their leader, on and off the court, LeBron James. The forward, even at the age of 36, is still dominating the league and is at the top of his game.

James is currently averaging 25 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.5 assists and has played in every one of the Lakers' 22 matchups. He has done it all so far in his 18th season and is in prime position to take the LA Lakers back to this year's NBA Finals.

While taking more threes than ever before, King James is sinking them at a career-high rate of 40.9%.

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Forward - Anthony Davis (LA Lakers)

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers

Joining LeBron James in our forward pairing is his LA Lakers teammate, Anthony Davis. The 27-year-old has had to overcome niggling injuries during the early parts of the season but is still one of the league's premier end-to-end players.

He is averaging 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals this season - impressive for a player that has publicly criticized his own defending.

On the offensive end, Davis is averaging a 7-year low of points with 22.3. However, as mentioned before, the LA Lakers have the luxury of Davis starting cold with their deep roster. He still remains one of the most menacing players to defend in the league and can create a dynasty with the Lakers, alongside LeBron James.

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Center - Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

Nikola Jokic has been in scintillating form for the Denver Nuggets

Rivaling LeBron James for MVP is the Denver Nuggets center, Nikola Jokic. The Serbian has taken his game to a whole new level this season.

Averaging almost 7 more points than last season with 26.8, Jokic has been the Nuggets' driving force through their patchy start. The center has also secured a double-double in each of his side's 20 games so far and is averaging a near triple-double with 11.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists.

Check out the top plays from Nikola Jokic's Week 6 performances that earned him Western Conference Player of the Week honours! 👏 pic.twitter.com/rnQf0YXRGu

— NBA UK (@NBAUK) February 2, 2021

Against the in-form Utah Jazz on Sunday, Jokic dropped a phenomenal 47 points and 12 rebounds and has subsequently been named Western Conference Player of the Month.