In this duel between two teams, their first of the season, which are struggling to switch to the positive this year, there was no comparison. After their 32-point victory over the Blazers, the Nuggets have chained a success, the fourth in five games, just as convincing to consolidate their positive record. Conversely, the Lakers who, after four victories, have just conceded a third loss in a row, are falling back into the negative…
After tied with the Nuggets for a quarter (34-29), the Lakers began to show serious signs of weakness in defense in the second quarter, where they were up to 18 points behind. (61-43). With his pair LeBron James – Russell Westbrook, supported by Trevor Ariza author of some award-winning baskets, Los Angeles finished the first period better (73-60).
Denver, which was shooting at 60% success so far, never really came down from its cloud afterwards. It wasn’t the verbal altercation between Aaron Gordon and Russell Westbrook, which ended with a technical foul each, that changed anything. With the Nuggets having way too many confident players tonight, like surprise Bones Hyland, the Lakers were unable to react defensively.
Still 23 points ahead (102-79) at the start of the last quarter, Mike Malone could afford not to revive Nikola Jokic. With 23 award-winning baskets scored in total, his team could hardly be scared.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The big collective gap. No less than seven players with ten points or more, including all holders, 35 assists (a season record equaled at home), always movement and cuts to the circle with Nikola Jokic in the maneuver… The Nuggets have put all their collective lights to green on this meeting. Conversely, the James – Westbrook duo received very little attacking support apart from veterans Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza. Above all, we had the impression of seeing a completely static attack with all of LeBron James’ teammates stopping to watch him play.
– The big defensive gap. In the Top 10 of the league’s good students in defense, the Nuggets still limited an opponent below the 100 point mark. The same cannot be said for the Lakers who again completely exploded in this sector and lacked the will to put an arm in opposition in front of the opposing shooters. This observation also applies to LeBron James, generally little concerned and sometimes gone on an adventure on two-man strikes, leaving his direct opponent alone.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Bones Hyland. Bold the rookie! Author of a new career record in “scoring”, the point guard, whose physique recalls Lou Williams, was impressive by his long distance address and his offensive activity. General activity even since the 1m90 player offered himself a first double-double by capturing 10 rebounds!
✅ The Nikola Jokic-Jeff Green duo. We bet the Serb enjoyed seeing two of his teammates finish with more points than him, which has rarely happened this season. And that didn’t stop the pivot from having a colossal iNFLuence on the game with a 65th career triple-double. For veteran Jeff Green, who has been in great shape since the start of 2022 and who still has a lot of relaxation, this is his best game this season. LeBron James gave him way too much freedom.
⛔ The Lakers bench. We were tempted to put the whole team on but three of the incumbents provided a minimum service. For the rest… Although Frank Vogel mobilized all his available players, he didn’t manage to get much out of them. Like the trio Talen Horton-Tucker – Austin Reaves – Wayne Ellington who accumulated 11 small points with a sad 3/14 on shots and terrible score impacts (-15, -32 and -26…).
FRUSTRATION MOUNTS IN LOS ANGELES
Russell Westbrook who attacks Aaron Gordon because the latter defends physically, LeBron James who refuses to speak to the press after the meeting. The tension is rising among the Lakers who have fallen back into the negative and can not erase their problems, whether in attack or defense.
THE FOLLOWING
Nuggets (22-19) : reception of the Jazz, the next night.
Lakers (21-22) : Jazz reception, Monday.
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