A lot is riding on this series in Denver

Staff writer Mike Bresnahan ties up some loose ends on days of Lakers playoff games.

Next?

What will Nuggets fans do during the off-season?

The Rockies are terrible, the Broncos traded away their franchise quarterback, and the Avalanche had the NHL’s third-worst record.

So when the Nuggets are eliminated, either tonight or Sunday, the next event at Pepsi Center will be Yanni’s one-night engagement.

Now that’s truly awful.

This just in

Nobody was fined for complaining about the refs and no one had any flagrant fouls tacked on to their Game 5 resumes! Congrats, everybody!

Buying into Bynum

For the first time in forever, Andrew Bynum showed some panache in the post in Game 5.

He faked Nene into the air with an up-and-under move and finished with a dunk. He also dunked off an alley-oop lob from Kobe Bryant and had another dunk after an over-the-head feed from Pau Gasol.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

Q&A; of the day

Question: “I would like to know if you can secure seats next to Hugh Hefner for me and a buddy for next game . . . with the understanding, of course, that he bring his ‘guests’ with him.”

--Jim, Bakersfield

Answer: Too late. I just snapped up the only vacant seat next to Hef. You can have my spot in press row. Just don’t tell my boss.

Final thought

I’m sticking with my prediction before the series started: Lakers in six. Lakers win tonight as Denver unravels in the second half.

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