The Denver Nuggets may only have the third-best record in the Western Conference, but they’re still the team to beat and showed why against the Lakers SATURDAY.
Even with Jamal Murray still injured with a weak ankle and the Lakers fully aware of the Nuggets’ seven-game losing streak, Denver still managed to outscore Los Angeles on the road and beat the purple and gold. 124-114.
The Lakers didn’t play badly, but once again the Nuggets were close until the end as Murray, Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon scored Denver’s final seven points to ice the game and secure the victory.
The Lakers had five starters in double figures, with LeBron James leading the way, scoring 26 points, including a bucket on Michael Porter Jr. in the second quarter. put him in the 40,000 club.
Austin Reaves played well with a double-double, with 19 points and 14 assists. This assist total marks a new career high for Reaves.
After the match, Reaves explained why good individual performances don’t mean much if the team goal isn’t achieved.
“Every time you lose, you get frustrated,” Reaves said. “It doesn’t matter if you play a really good match, wins and losses are all that matters in this match. If you lose, everyone should be angry. If you win, everyone should be happy as hell. Regardless of what we do on the field, if we lose, yes, we should be screwed.
Reaves got to where he is now by sticking to the basics and doing the dirty work that leads to winning basketball.
Now, even though we see less and less of him shooting charges or diving for loose balls, it’s good to know that he hasn’t forgotten that those individual numbers ring hollow if the game isn’t won. That is why LeBron James felt bittersweet hitting 40,000 in defeat.
At the end of the day, winning is all that matters and even though the Lakers have done more than lose in 2024, they still find themselves in tenth place in the West, desperately trying to climb the play-in standings and get place in a difficult position. a better position to succeed in April.
If Reaves stays with this attitude and the rest of the team follows suit with the appropriate level of urgency, the wins will come.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.
