The Joker Seeks The King's Trouble For The First Time Since The Bubble! | Official Lakers (#7) vs. Nuggets (#1) WCF Thread

[EzekelRAGE]

This was by design from the coaching staff... Dennis was getting frustrated with the coaching staff at some point in the 1st half , before they finally allowed him to stop doing it

Dennis was getting flustered

 

[HoldThisL]

This basically what Ham did after the half with Rui isnt it?

Yep, and Lakers should run with it. I would switch between Rui/Vando guarding Jokic all series until Nuggets make a adjustment.

 

[Braman]

Nuggets finished + 17 on the glass. They started… 20-3 edge in the first quarter

Nuggets had 9 offensive rebounds on the first 11 misses

‘Lakers played their best game nothing else they can do ‘

 

[T.he I.nformant]

Bron on Murray is a crazy mismatch. Malone has got to make the adjustment. Gordon has to fight over the picks to stay on Bron. Gordon seemed to be the only Denver defender who could slow LBJ. He’s got to stay on Bron and defend without fouling. Easier said than done but allowing Murray to be on Bron is BBQ chicken. Tires Murray out and gets him in foul trouble. Malone can’t allow that to happen. It’s gonna be a disaster if he doesn’t figure that out. Bron started controlling the game and low-key dominating. If Murray ends up on Bron in the post they got to consider doubling and see if someone other than Reaves can hit an open shot.

 

[nightwing2016]

To be fair Dennis started played great defense on Murray after he stopped going under the screen too.

Murray is sick and he still played really well

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

There’s an obvious path for the Lakers to build upon this game, though. Their strategy in the first half was awful, their effort on the defensive glass was pitiful, and their guard defense (which has been solid all playoffs) was just pathetic for most of the night. I can see Denver replicating this offensive performance (especially at home) but the Lakers made it easy on them in the first half.

I also think Lebron and AD shouldn’t have any trouble getting quality looks in this series. The Grizzlies and Warriors had the horses to make them struggle offensively, Denver just doesn’t.

One thing Denver loves doing is getting out in transition: Jokic pushing the ball with AG, Murray, Brown and MPJ getting into the halfcourt as fast as possible, and we know that LA is extremely poor at defending the break, so Denver generating their runs through this method wasn't a surprise in the first half. This is going to be a constant theme throughout the series, which I doubt the Lakers will be able to have an answer for on a consistent basis.

What it'll come down to is how they respond once Denver's runs end.

Which we saw them respond at a high level in this game; they dragged themselves back in the contest every single time, but that's coming off a few days rest and with their role players playing above what they normally would. The question remains can they battle through the fatigue, especially dealing with the travel and altitude and the law of averages hitting to do this throughout the entire series.

They've been able to let their foot off the gas in Game 2s against Memphis and GS to pace themselves, but they won't have that same opportunity here.

 

[Miggs]

Nuggets finished + 17 on the glass. They started… 20-3 edge in the first quarter

Nuggets had 9 offensive rebounds on the first 11 misses

‘Lakers played their best game nothing else they can do ‘

Lakers shot 55/46
AD had 40
Reeves had 23 and shot 80% from 3
They played a good game they figured some stuff out late.

But each game is its own entity i dont believe theres momentum that carries over to each game,wins and losses now matter how is all that matters.
ive never bought into winning bad and losing great when ur in the Conference Finals.


But alot of nikkas need to lie tio themselves to cope with losing

 

[O.T.I.S.]

Everyone saying Denver not going to play like this again like they expect the Lakers not to do the same

At this point, it’s a coaches game but one thing for sure is Jokic really is the MVP and he’s going to be there every game. Everyone else on both teams is up in the air especially AD

 

[Braman]

Bron on Murray is a crazy mismatch. Malone has got to make the adjustment. Gordon has to fight over the picks to stay on Bron. Gordon seemed to be the only Denver defender who could slow LBJ. He’s got to stay on Bron and defend without fouling. Easier said than done but allowing Murray to be on Bron is BBQ chicken. Tires Murray out and gets him in foul trouble. Malone can’t allow that to happen. It’s gonna be a disaster if he doesn’t figure that out. Bron started controlling the game and low-key dominating. If Murray ends up on Bron in the post they got to consider doubling and see if someone other than Reaves can hit an open shot.

Wrong era. Dudes don’t really fight over picks no more

 

[skyrunner1]

Denver is food in the paint going forward

Its open the whole series

 

[skyrunner1]

Bron turning back the clock next game. Gonna be a movie.

Nikka look like he was about to faint

 

[T.he I.nformant]

This can't be emphasized enough.

LA went all out on this game and applied max effort (both AD and Bron played 40+ minutes), which as you've said, had them winning Game 1 in each of their last two series'. They're going to have to bring the same effort and intensity in Game 2 (which we haven't seen them do on the road), in altitude., to take the split.

Yeah that’s why I thought it was essential for the Nuggets to win the first one. It’s not to say the Lakers still can’t get the split by winning game 2 but I think it’ll be much tougher. There’s greater pressure on the Lakers. After this 2nd half performance I’m sure the Lakers’ll be confident but I think they’re more vulnerable. Nuggets just have to play smart basketball and make the obvious adjustments and try to run these cats out of the gym.

 

[skyrunner1]

The Lakers missed a lot of open, looks from three. Particularly in the first half.

That seems pretty normal, especially on the road

 

[Braman]

Lakers shot 55/46
AD had 40
Reeves had 23 and shot 80% from 3
They played a good game they figured some stuff out late.

But each game is its own entity i dont believe theres momentum that carries over to each game,wins and losses now matter how is all that matters.
ive never bought into winning bad and losing great when ur in the Conference Finals.


But alot of nikkas need to lie tio themselves to cope with losing

And so did Denver. Literally. Identical

And what’s more of a fluke, AD scoring 40 or KCP and Bruce brown going for 36?

 

[T.he I.nformant]

I’m glad MPJ is getting spotlighted for that hustle to get that 50/50 loose ball. He also had a huge block and 3. Hope it helps to build his confidence because those were winning plays.