Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets (Lakers lead 2-1)
The Lakers came out as hot as magma after their defeat in game-three. In the first quarter, they outscored the Nuggets, 37-30. The Denver Nuggets tried to build off the momentum of their big win and limited the Lakers’ offense, cutting their lead to five at the end of the first half.
The Nuggets kept the momentum going in the third quarter. They chipped away at the lead and with one quarter left it was anybody’s game. The Lakers held their lead and pulled away towards the end of the game; they won 114-108.
The Nuggets were led by G Jamal Murray (32PTS 3REB 8AST 1BLK 4TO 45MIN) who has really made a name for himself in these playoffs. There is no doubt that he will be the Nuggets’ PG for a long time. The Nuggets have plenty of offense, with five different players scoring in double-digits: Nikola Jokic 16PTS, Jerami Grant 17PTS, Michael Porter Jr. 13PTS, Monte Morris 12PTS, and Jamal Murray 32PTS. Their defense, on the other hand, left something to be desired. The Nuggets committed far too many fouls as the Lakers made 28-35 free throws in this game. You give a team like the Lakers all those free shots and they will win.
The Lakers were led by Anthony Davis (34PTS 5REB 3AST 3STL) and LeBron James (26PTS 9REB 8AST). The dynamic duo was in sync all game and the Nuggets had no answer. The Lakers also had four other players, Dwight Howard 12PTS, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 13PTS, Kyle Kuzma 10PTS, and Rajon Rondo 11PTS, score into double digits as well. If the Lakers begin to get that kind of production from their role players and their bench, they are will be unbeatable. Howard and Davis did a fantastic job of shutting down Jokic, which is never an easy thing to do.