The Los Angeles Lakers have their probability to avenge final 12 months’s Western Convention Finals sweep by the hands of the Denver Nuggets, however after a 114-103 Nuggets win in Sport 1, it’s clear that most of the similar issues exist for L.A. in toppling the defending champs.
Early on, the Lakers had been rolling, leaping out a 33-25 lead after one quarter because of huge time performances from their stars. LeBron James and Anthony Davis each delivered within the early going, combining for 37 factors within the first half.
Regardless of that displaying, the Nuggets had been capable of go on a run of their very own within the second quarter to shut the hole, trailing by simply three on the half.
Within the third quarter, the Nuggets turned it into excessive gear and the Lakers merely didn’t have a solution. Denver received the third 32-18, turning protection into offense and easily overwhelming Los Angeles on each ends of the ground.
Main the best way was, as all the time, Nikola Jokic, who picked aside the Lakers protection with 32 factors, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists on 15-of-23 capturing on the evening.
Within the fourth quarter, the Lakers lower the result in single digits on a couple of events, however each effort at a run met a solution from the Nuggets stars.
Jamal Murray likewise posted a double-double with 22 factors, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds — albeit on a troublesome capturing evening (9-of-24) — and all 5 Denver starters reached double figures. After a dreadful run capturing the ball final postseason, Michael Porter Jr. seemed extra like himself with 19 factors on 8-of-15 capturing (3-of-7 from three), and Aaron Gordon continued to be the glue between Denver’s stars with 12 factors, 11 boards, and 7 assists.
The Lakers obtained 59 mixed factors from James and Davis, however each slowed down within the second half after torrid begins. Very like final 12 months, as soon as Denver was capable of set up a lead, the Lakers simply couldn’t stack sufficient stops and scores to reel them in down the stretch, because the Nuggets offense continues to show too troublesome to decelerate late in video games. Going ahead, if the Lakers are going to make this collection totally different from final 12 months’s sweep, they’ll have to shoot a lot better (8-of-29 from three) and work out the way to get extra from their “others.”
