Before the dust even settled on Game 1 of the Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference finals clash, Shaquille O’Neal was looking ahead to the Lakers’ next game.
Los Angeles will face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night, and Shaq came prepared with a bold prediction for the game.
O’Neal thinks the Lakers will come prepared after falling just short of a comeback in the series opener on Tuesday, and he guaranteed a win for his former team in Game 2.
“We coming. We coming. We ain’t laying down,” said O’Neal. “Would you like me to shock you now? Say it now? Lakers tomorrow. Guarantee it. Guarantee it!”
Shaq had to make sure the coast was clear before he made a guarantee 😅 pic.twitter.com/U2253lJ9vX
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 18, 2023
The Lakers overcame a 21-point deficit against the Nuggets on Tuesday night in Game 1, but their comeback was dashed late into the fourth quarter as Denver pulled away with a 132–126 victory behind a stunning triple-double from Nikola Jokic.
Shaq expects his former team to bounce back in a big way on Thursday, and he put a guarantee on his bold prediction to show just how confident he is in the Lakers.
With O’Neal firmly in their corner, LeBron James & Co. will look to even up the series before it shifts back to Los Angeles and the Crypto.com Arena for Games 3 and 4.
