We can all agree that Jokic will get his. And this series will be another sweep if he wins the matchup with Davis as he did over the final three games of last year’s conference finals. Jokic averaged 25.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 11.0 assists while shooting 36% from beyond the arc. Davis countered with 22.3 points, 15.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. It does not seem like a lot until you consider that the four games were decided by an average of six points.

The disparity widened during this past regular season. Jokic delivered 29.3 points, 12 boards and nine assists with Davis at 22.3 points and 9.3 rebounds. Jokic exudes no arrogance and fittingly called the Lakers probably the “toughest” opponent Denver faced during its title run. His respect for them is real. He is hard not like. And even harder to contain.

Coach Michael Malone takes nothing for granted, admitting Denver’s win streak does not mean anything. He’s right. Sort of. The Nuggets own this string of dominance because the most important matchup — Jokic vs. the world — tilts in their favor.

This is not to suggest the Lakers have no chance. I would never say that about a LeBron James team. He is as ageless as Cindy Crawford and has lost only one first-round playoff series in his career. As such, the Lakers are dangerous. They have shown they can compete with the Nuggets. They just have not shown they can beat the Nuggets.

There is a school of thought that the Lakers are better off facing the Nuggets now. I agree. When your best player is creeping close to 40 years old, fatigue becomes an issue. Los Angeles will be fresher, and they are better than a year ago because of the added offense provided by Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell.

Acknowledging that the Lakers will not solve Jokic, the only way this series gets greasy traces back to Russell. His impact this season has been hard to ignore. He is shooting 41% from 3, same as a year ago. It’s not the number that is going in, but when. He is making big shots. Like at New Orleans in the play-in game.

Will he be a factor? In the Western Conference finals, he became a liability, unable to guard Murray. He shrank in the spotlight, averaging 6.3 points and 3.5 assists as Murray sank 32.5 points per game. Russell will close this gap, but not significantly.

Whether in April or late May, this is the series we wanted. Lakers vs. Nuggets. For Denver, there will be four more victories. And further proof of paternity.

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