Remake of the last Western Conference final, this Nuggets/Lakers did not fail to keep us in suspense but, as every time since December 2022, these are the teammates of Nikola Jokic (32 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) and Jamal Murray (22 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds) who took the upper hand (114-103) over Anthony Davis (32 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks), LeBron James (27 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) and others.
Los Angeles attacks hard
The Lakers' start is optimal, with LeBron James punishing “mismatches” inside and being precise outside, while distributing the caviars. Nikola Jokic tries to respond, with the help of Peyton Watson coming off the bench, but the Nuggets are clumsy and are punished by the visitors in defense, such as Jamal Murray, constantly targeted. Serious and successful, the Californians are generally present and the highly anticipated D'Angelo Russell starts his series well, all aggressively (33-25).
Jamal Murray heats up, but that is not enough to counter the start of Anthony Davis, too easy in the paint in front of DeAndre Jordan, while Denver continues to accumulate shooting failures. The gap widens, but a 14-2 wakes up in three minutes the champion, who can finally develop his team game. The counters are reset to zero, but Los Angeles nevertheless manages to take the lead at the break, after a distant 3-pointer from LeBron James, which we had forgotten in this second quarter (60-57).
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope launches the run that changes everything
Returning from the locker room, each team initially goes blow for blow in attack, but we already feel that the Nuggets are not far from the acceleration. This is what happens when they take control again, since the diabolical skill of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, combined with the ease of Nikola Jokic to score near the circle, ignites the Ball Arena and quickly knocks out the Lakers, lacking of offensive and defensive inspiration: 13-0, the gap is made and it is a real blow behind the heads of the Angelenos twelve minutes from the end (89-78).
After Nikola Jokic, it's Jamal Murray who puts his nose to the window again, but it's especially Anthony Davis who struggles inside so that Los Angeles can get back to two possessions with the help of an 11-2 . Moment chosen by the “Joker” to re-press the accelerator and push for good on the “Puprle & Gold” who never stop being subjected to the law of Denver in conditions which are very similar from one meeting to the next. another (114-103).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– And suddenly Denver accelerated… We long thought that the Lakers would be able to create a surprise in Game 1, as they controlled the debates in the first period, with a lead of up to 12 points (49-37). Except that, twice, the Nuggets accelerated almost on command to first return to their height before the break, then break away in the second half. A 14-2 then a 13-0 which hurt LeBron James' teammates, who once again realized that Nikola Jokic and others were a real steamroller. Especially when the second knives like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope get going…
– Los Angeles must do even better. The Lakers were not unworthy, but the Lakers once again lost to the Nuggets, for the ninth time in a row. Anthony Davis and LeBron James played their game, but D'Angelo Russell lacked success and the external clumsiness of the “Purple & Gold” ended up weighing as much as their numerous offensive rebounds granted to the Nuggets or the poor contribution of their bench. Overall very clean and superior in key areas, the reigning champions were again in the lead over time, and the impression of déjà vu is confirmed from match to match between the two teams…
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
