Once more, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves in a familiar situation: holding a lead against the Denver Nuggets only to be overtaken and suffer a humiliating defeat. This time, it was Jamal Murray’s buzzer-beater that sealed the Nuggets’ victory, putting them ahead 2-0 in the series. With the Lakers now needing to win four out of the next five games to advance, they’ll undoubtedly enter tonight’s game in a state of desperation. However, the looming question remains: will their efforts make any difference? Tonight’s match will provide the answer.
Key Matchup:
Denver Nuggets (2-0) vs Los Angeles Lakers (0-2)
Date and Time:
8:00 PM MDT
Location:
The Crypt, Los Angeles, CA
How to Watch/Listen:
Catch the action on TNT/TruTV. AltitudeTV is accessible on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo TV for those in the viewing area. League Pass is available for fans outside the Nuggets market. If attending in person, tell the security guard at Crypto.com Arena you’ve cracked the code to end LA’s 10-game losing streak against Denver for a mere $49.95, and throw in a Sham-wow. Tune in to 92.5 FM KKSE Altitude Sports Radio for live coverage.
Key Point to Observe:
Which team will dominate the three-point shooting?
Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. have been shooting 41.6% from three-point range in this series, going 10-for-24. However, the rest of the Nuggets have struggled, hitting only 25% of their 52 attempts from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Lakers have managed a 35.6% three-point shooting percentage. To overcome the Nuggets, the Lakers need various factors to align in their favor, including their role players hitting threes while hoping for Denver’s shooters to continue missing. Despite their shooting woes, Denver remains resolute, relying on their offensive system to generate open looks and trusting that eventually, their shots will start falling.
The Lakers ranked among the teams attempting the fewest three-pointers during the regular season, so they lack the volume to compensate if Denver improves its three-point shooting. Additionally, Los Angeles is being out-rebounded by the Nuggets by an average of 8 boards per game, and they’re already maxing out the minutes for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With limited options to make up the points, the Lakers heavily rely on favorable variance. Denver, on the other hand, excels in rebounding, closing games, and typically boasts higher efficiency. If the Nuggets snap out of their playoff slump and start connecting from deep, it could spell trouble for the Lakers.
Denver holds an edge over Los Angeles when it comes to closing out games. While the Nuggets may not necessarily be 10 games better than the Lakers, they have demonstrated superior performance in the crucial moments of their matchups. Even if they struggle for portions of the game, the Nuggets maintain confidence in their ability to rally and secure wins. This resilience and fearlessness in clutch situations make them a formidable opponent. Conversely, the Lakers appear apprehensive in close contests against Denver, highlighting their discomfort and insecurity in such situations.
For the Lakers to turn their fortunes around tonight, it’s not just about gaining a lead against Denver; they need to outplay the Nuggets throughout the game. Winning those crucial late possessions while preventing Denver from immediately striking back is essential. Whether the Lakers play a good or great game, they still risk losing, as the Nuggets consistently display resilience and tenacity in the playoffs. To avoid falling into a 3-0 deficit, the Lakers must maintain their composure for the entire 48 minutes, recognizing that Denver will never give up. The past 10 games have clearly shown how Denver’s unwavering determination can impact the outcome.
Do you think Denver will regain their shooting touch and apply more pressure on the struggling Los Angeles team with consistent scoring down the stretch? Los Angeles will likely start the game strong, knowing the importance of this matchup. However, if Denver manages to avoid prolonged shooting slumps, they could wear down the Lakers as the game progresses. If Denver can keep up with Los Angeles in the first half instead of playing catch-up, the outlook for the Lakers in the second half becomes grim. The possibility of Denver extending their lead further could result in significant rewards.
