Lakers Fall to Nuggets Once Again in Game 1 of Western Conference First-Round Series
The Los Angeles Lakers’ history with the Denver Nuggets continues to haunt them, as they suffered a 114-103 loss in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series. The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić was unstoppable, scoring easily and setting up his teammates for open shots. Jamal Murray also had a stellar performance, hitting difficult shots throughout the game. The Lakers struggled to match the intensity and execution of the Nuggets in the second half, leading to their ninth consecutive loss against Denver.
In the days leading up to Game 1, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham emphasized the need for near-perfect basketball against the Nuggets. For the first 18 minutes of the game, it seemed like the Lakers were executing their game plan flawlessly. They were shooting over 60% from the field and dominating the superstar battle between Anthony Davis and LeBron James against Jokić and Murray. However, the game took a turn when the Nuggets increased their intensity and the Lakers failed to maintain their defensive focus.
The Lakers’ missed opportunities in Game 1 have once again raised questions about their ability to defeat the Nuggets. Despite strong performances from Davis and James, who both scored over 25 points, the Lakers only led by three points at halftime. In the second half, the Nuggets took control of the game with a 13-0 run in the third quarter. They outrebounded the Lakers, dominated in transition, and capitalized on second-chance points. The Lakers’ defensive rebounding and transition defense were particularly problematic.
D’Angelo Russell, who has struggled against the Nuggets in previous matchups, continued to face difficulties in Game 1. He started the game well but went cold after his initial success, shooting just 3-for-16 for the remainder of the game. Russell’s defensive shortcomings were also evident, as he struggled to guard players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who constantly moved without the ball. The Lakers may need to consider giving more minutes to Spencer Dinwiddie and Gabe Vincent, who could provide better defensive matchups against Murray and Caldwell-Pope.
Despite Russell’s poor performance, Coach Ham expressed his support for the guard, acknowledging his contributions throughout the season. The Lakers will need Russell to bounce back in Game 2 and be more aggressive on both ends of the court. The team also needs to adjust their defensive coverages against Jokić, potentially assigning James or Davis as his primary defender.
With each consecutive loss to the Nuggets, the pressure mounts for the Lakers. They not only have to overcome the Nuggets in the series but also the psychological barrier created by their previous defeats. However, the team remains optimistic and focused on the seven-game series format. They believe they have another opportunity to come back stronger in Game 2 and turn the tide in their favor.