(Picture credit score: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Photographs)
A primary-round playoff recreation from a season in the past will see a flashback Saturday when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets.
The reigning champions on the time, the Nuggets proved an excessive amount of to deal with and earned a 4–1 collection victory over the Lakers earlier than being eradicated within the Western Convention semifinals by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Los Angeles will do its finest to look ahead as a glance again additionally reveals a heartbreaking 119-118 residence loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The Lakers solved the Magic’s tight protection however could not outsmart the free throw line, making 3 of 9 within the fourth quarter.
Lakers star Anthony Davis was 1 of 4 from the free throw line within the closing 27.1 seconds and LeBron James missed a foul shot with 39.1 seconds remaining. Austin Reaves missed two with 3:40 left.
Davis scored 39 factors, however his three misses in 13 makes an attempt from the road have been crucial. James scored 31 factors with 10 rebounds and 7 assists.
Afterward, Lakers head coach JJ Redick mentioned he was heading to a “very darkish place” earlier than clarifying that he was speaking about his basement watching video of how every thing had occurred.
“Each loss is irritating,” Redick mentioned. “There are some losses that you would level to as an absence — I do not need to name it an absence of effort — however as an absence of will and competitiveness and physicality to begin a match after which you need to beat you. That, frankly, it got here right down to our missed free throws.
The loss was the Lakers’ first at residence in eight video games and ended a six-game successful streak. Now comes a matchup in opposition to the Nuggets, whom they beat simply as soon as in seven video games within the common season and playoffs final marketing campaign.
Denver will likely be on its second straight night time following a 123-120 residence loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
There was some encouraging information with the return of Nikola Jokic, who had missed the earlier three video games following the delivery of his youngster. Jokic marked the second with 33 factors, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for his fifth straight triple-double and seventh of the season.
“I simply felt a variety of guys exhale as a result of Nikola was again and anticipating Superman to win,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone mentioned. “It is not honest. Do your individual job. Nikola confirmed, as soon as once more, why he is one of the best participant on the earth. He misses per week of basketball and goes out and will get a triple-double.”
The Nuggets have misplaced three of their final 4 video games after falling thrice of their first 10 video games of the season. They enter Friday’s recreation having misplaced three of their final 4 video games on the highway.
Towards the Mavericks, Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. every scored 17 factors for Denver, which fell to 1-1 within the West: NBA Cup Group C recreation. The Nuggets’ defeat allowed the Golden State Warriors to win the group.
Jokic has been a pressure once more this season averaging 30 factors, 14 rebounds and 11.5 factors. The three-time MVP additionally shoots a spectacular 58.5 % from 3-point vary on 41 makes an attempt.
Denver has gained on the second night time of a back-to-back twice this season, most just lately a 129-103 residence victory over the Utah Jazz on November 2.
–Discipline degree media
