It is with a little rakija (a Serbian liqueur) that the Nuggets have regrouped at Nikola Jokic's house to watch the Lakers' victory over the Pelicans on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. If they followed this match closely, it is because they knew that they would face the winner starting this weekend.
Opponents from the first round of the playoffs, the Nuggets and the Lakers know each other quite well, since the two teams had already faced each other in the playoffs last season. Irresistible, the Nuggets swept the Los Angeles team in the conference final. And if we take into account the regular season, Denver even remains 8-0 in the last confrontations against LeBron James' team.
“Yes, we beat them four times, even eight times in a row. Can we stop talking about it? » asks the Serbian pivot. “Every game in the playoffs last year was really difficult. It could have gone either way… Yes, we beat them 4-0, but they're a really talented team. They are really well built. I have great respect for them and I think it will be an interesting series. “
Same story for his coach, Mike Malone, who does not want to rest on his achievements. “Everyone keeps saying we beat them eight games in a row, and like I told our players today, that doesn't mean anything.”, insists the coach. “It’s a different team, a different series, and we know what we have in front of us. It will be a hell of a challenge to beat the Lakers in the playoffs. »
No favorites in the series?
The Nuggets are even more wary since the Lakers are in great shape at the moment. It's also impossible to underestimate a team that relies on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“They have been very good since the All-Star Game was cut. Over the last 15 matches, they have 12 wins and 3 losses” underlines the “Joker”. “They are playing at a high level, and it will be interesting. There is no favorite, and it could go one way or the other. »
Capable of sometimes catching fire from 3-point range, but also of dominating inside, the Lakers have weapons to shake the reigning champions. Particularly on their ability to go quickly to the circle after a rebound. “Probably we have to stop them in transition, especially LeBron. And in painting. AD (Anthony Davis) is a monster in there, and there are points on offensive rebounds too. We have to move them away from the 3-point line, because their shooters are shooting really well at the moment. The details will make a big difference,” believes Nikola Jokic.
Hostilities begin on Saturday in Denver, where Nikola Jokic and his team will begin the defense of their title.
