No more room for error for Lakersdoubly beaten by the Nuggets in frustrating conditions to say the least and back at home to try to get back into a tie in the series. Except that, like last season, Denver is just too strong and experienced collectively to be surprised by The Angels and here is a new victory (112-105), synonymous with 3-0 for the reigning champions.
And Anthony Davis (33 points, 15 rebonds), LeBron James (26 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds) or Austin Reaves (22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals) tried everything, they could do nothing against the quartet Aaron Gordon (29 points, 15 rebonds) – Nikola Jokic (24 points, 15 rebonds, 9 passes) – Jamal Murray (22 points, 9 passes, 5 rebonds) – Michael Porter Jr. (20 points, 10 rebounds). The smell of the “sweep” is starting to be felt…
Los Angeles starts well, but Denver finishes strong
Like the first two games, the Lakers started strong, led by LeBron James and especially Anthony Davis, very aggressive towards the circle. The Nuggets are hanging on as best they can, with Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, but their clumsiness in shooting and with the ball handicaps them (33-23). Things went a little better for Denver in the second quarter, still thanks to offensive rebounds from Aaron Gordon, plus baskets from Jamal Murray, but Los Angeles resisted, relying on LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who imposed still their law in painting (53-49).
It is then that the Nuggets return from the locker room with a more conquering face and, as very often, this is enough to get back to a tie, then go ahead. Aaron Gordon reigns in the paint and accumulates points, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. contribute their share and the gap increases, while Anthony Davis is the only one to survive on the Lakers side. A scenario that we are used to seeing between these two teams (83-75).
The break is made, Denver is in control and the champion’s mastery means that he does not let Los Angeles catch up, scoring almost on command with the quartet Jokic – Gordon – Porter Jr. – Murray.
The Nuggets are therefore quietly heading towards a new success (112-105), the eleventh in a row against the Lakers, and it now makes 3-0 in this series. An implacable, clear and flawless observation, as this Colorado franchise does not box in the same category as the “Purple & Gold” who will have to become legendary to hope to see the conference semi-finals.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Denver way too easy. Despite once again a difficult start, the Nuggets did not panic and continued to trust their game plan to let the storm pass, come back and then make the difference in the second half. This scenario would almost start to resemble a running gag for the Lakers, who are constantly punished in the same way and at the same time, that is to say after the break and by squandering a lead of around ten points, because of the rebound domination of the champions, the variety of their offensive options and their ability to “know how to suffer” then accelerate.
– Los Angeles completely helpless. What more can Anthony Davis and LeBron James do to overthrow these Nuggets or, at least, worry them? Not much, because the two Californian leaders continue to do their job, but it is their “supporting cast” which poses a problem for them overall. Apart from Austin Reaves, there is nothing to remember, since D’Angelo Russell was ghosted, the contribution of the bench remained too weak and Rui Hachimura did not weigh either. Add to that a 5/27 3-pointer or 14 offensive rebounds granted to Denver, and you get obstacles that are difficult to overcome.
– At state’: 151-0. Either the balance sheet all-time teams that led 3-0 in a playoff series. The 2024 Nuggets become the 152nd team in history to take such a lead against an opponent and the Lakers will have to achieve something unprecedented, if not impossible, if they want to avoid going on vacation even before the end of April.
LA Lakers / 105 Tirs Rebonds Joueurs Min Tirs 3pts LF O D T Pd Fte Int Bp Ct +/- Pts Eval A. Davis 43 14/23 0/0 5/7 5 10 15 3 5 1 2 0 -4 33 39 R. Hachimura 28 2/4 1/2 0/2 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 0 -12 5 3 L. James 42 12/20 1/6 1/2 0 6 6 9 3 2 3 1 -8 26 32 D. Russell 24 0/7 0/6 0/0 0 3 3 2 0 1 1 1 -6 0 -1 A. Reaves 41 8/17 2/5 4/4 2 3 5 3 3 4 0 0 -4 22 25 T. Prince 20 3/7 1/4 0/0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 -4 7 6 H. Giles III 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Castleton 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S. Dinwiddie 22 3/8 0/3 2/2 0 2 2 3 0 0 0 0 +3 8 8 G. Vincent 20 2/4 0/1 0/0 0 4 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 6 S. Mays 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 44/90 5/27 12/17 8 30 38 23 16 8 7 2 105 118 Denver / 112 Tirs Rebonds Joueurs Min Tirs 3pts LF O D T Pd Fte Int Bp Ct +/- Pts Eval A. Gordon 41 12/18 0/1 5/6 5 10 15 3 0 1 2 0 +3 29 39 M. Porter Jr. 35 8/16 2/6 2/2 1 9 10 3 3 0 2 0 +2 20 23 N. Jokic 39 9/13 0/1 6/7 5 10 15 9 4 1 3 0 +4 24 41 J. Murray 41 8/21 1/6 5/6 1 4 5 9 0 0 4 1 +7 22 19 K. Caldwell-Pope 35 2/7 1/5 0/0 1 1 2 1 3 2 2 0 +2 5 3 B. Key 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 P. Watson 16 1/3 0/1 0/0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 +9 2 3 J. Holiday 8 0/4 0/4 0/0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 +2 0 -3 J. Huff 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R. Jackson 7 2/3 1/2 0/0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 C. Gillespie 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Braun 17 2/5 0/2 1/1 1 1 2 1 3 0 0 0 +6 5 5 44/90 5/28 19/22 14 37 51 27 14 4 13 3 112 135
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
2024-04-27 02:28:24
#Mercilessly #Nuggets #march #Lakers #Basket #USA
