lakers_was_their_worst_enemy_in_another_defeat_to_the_nuggets_and_is_close_to_elimination
The Lakers continued to find no answers to seek their first victory during their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, and are now one game away from saying goodbye to the current season.
After losing the first two games of the series despite building double-digit leads in both, some home luck was expected to change the story of Game 3. Early on, there seemed to be at least a little hope that that happened.
The Lakers started the game with everything, burying every possession in the first few minutes and extremely diligent in defense, giving the Nuggets a beating with counterattacks. The team’s lead reached 12 points at the beginning of the second period, but even so, shortly afterwards the result of the game already seemed predictable.
The Nuggets came within four points at halftime and outscored the Lakers 34-22 in the third quarter. The Lakers were their own worst enemy by committing too many turnovers, giving up too many offensive rebounds and second-chance points, and not showing enough discipline or defensive resources. To make matters worse, a barrage of random three-point shots began to seal the team’s fate in the match.
Quite simply, the Nuggets completely outplayed the Lakers after the first period, and the silent fans in the Crypto Arena already knew it was coming. The team seemed dazed as the game slipped out of their hands, and ended up losing 112-105.
Once again, the Lakers were defeated due to a lack of plan, command and poor execution on the court. The team was outrebounded by 13, gave up 19 second-chance points and made just 5 of 27 3-point shots. The Lakers barely managed to convert enough of their free throws — they went 12 of 17, missing several of them in the final period.
At the same time, the Nuggets moved the ball very well and always found someone open under the rim. As a result, Jokic and Murray’s team had four players with at least 20 points. Aaron Gordon did the most harm to the Lakers, with 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting and 15 rebounds.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this season is already over for the Lakers.
The team now has an 11-game losing streak against the Nuggets, and it doesn’t look like that scenario will change.
In any case, the Lakers still have a meeting scheduled with the Denver team this Saturday, for the fateful Game 4.
Lakers x Nuggets: game highlights
Lakers
Davis: 33 pts, 15 reb and 3 ast.
James: 26 pts, 6 reb and 9 ast.
Reaves: 22 pts, 5 reb and 3 ast.
Hachimura: 5 pts, 2 reb and 1 ast.
Russell: 0 pts, 3 reb and 2 ast.
Prince: 7 pts, 1 reb and 2 ast.
Dinwiddie: 8 pts, 2 reb and 3 ast.
Vincent: 4 pts and 4 reb.
Nuggets
Jokic: 24 pts, 15 reb and 9 ast.
Gordon: 29 pts, 15 reb and 3 ast.
Porter Jr: 20 pts, 10 reb and 3 ast.
Murray: 22 pts, 5 reb and 9 ast.
