I don’t usually do this. Predict a game. I just have a stronger hunch than usual about this one.

The Lakers didn’t come all this way to lose home court five games into the conference finals. They aren’t going to be eliminated in Denver on Friday. Just aren’t. So they will win tonight, and the series probably will conclude here on Sunday.

A few minutes ago, George Karl was talking about how big Game 5s are.

“The bounce that comes out of this game is really hard for the losing team to overcome,” Karl said.

I agree.  And I believe the Lakers do, too.

Phil Jackson talked about how his team plays better when it feels “urgency,” and not much can be more urgent than winning at home and avoiding an elimination game on the road.

I believe the Lakers will play well — perhaps their best game so far in the series. Kobe Bryant will be huge. Lamar Odom will do something. Maybe even Derek Fisher, too. They will outrebound Denver.

And they will win by 10 or more.